School:Loyola University Maryland

Loyola University Maryland is a Jesuit Catholic university committed to the educational and spiritual traditions of the Society of Jesus and to the ideals of liberal education and the development of the whole person. Accordingly, the University will inspire students to learn, lead, and serve in a diverse and changing world.

1 Overview
2 Promoting Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship
3 Encouraging Faculty Innovation and Entrepreneurship
4 Actively Supporting the University Technology Transfer Function
5 Facilitating University-Industry Collaboration
6 Engaging with Regional and Local Economic Development Efforts
7 Landscape Canvases
8 Student Priorities
9 Contributors

Overview

Loyola University Maryland, founded in 1852, is a liberal arts university located in Baltimore, Maryland. The Evergreen campus is the main undergraduate campus. Surrounded by a diverse and booming environment, we are in a perfect location for innovating and channeling creative problem solving. However, as of present, the resources for such ventures on Loyola’s campus are limited but growing. Creative space for design thinking, prototyping, and research is in the process of being built — the major one being a whole building dedicated to Innovation and Entrepreneurship. We have just created an I&E minor and are continuing to make strides to increase opportunities available to students. With multiple cohorts of University Innovation Fellows on campus, we are excited and motivated to improve these features of our campus. With these resources and many creative and inspired minds on campus, we strive to benefit students across disciplines and majors. Current resources on campus are outlined below.

Promoting Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Currently, Loyola is working hard to increase the amount of opportunities that relate to Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Although great strides have been made towards enhancing I&E programs around campus, our school still faces issues of informing students of these opportunities, and pushing them to take initiative in I&E. The current cohort of Fellows are looking to continue the legacy of the past cohorts and to improve on the innovative future of Loyola. We hope that with the support of people in the Loyola Community, we will change the attitude, atmosphere, and resources present for pursuing interest in I&E.

The following list encompasses the majority of opportunities that Loyola offers to discover, learn, and experiment with I&E.

Two Introduction to Engineering courses which aim to evoke interest in innovation
A few courses in the Sellinger School of Business which aim to provide inspiration for global entrepreneurship and new product development
A new course being offered across the Engineering, Physics, and Computer Science departments called Technical Innovation and Entrepreneurship allows students to learn how they can cross their scientific paths into the business world
Our new University Innovation Fellows team
A new VEX Robotics club. It is open to anybody on campus and allows for interdisciplinary teamwork
An Entrepreneurship Club which invites speakers to Loyola every so often to tell their personal success stories in entrepreneurship
A building dedicated to Innovation/Entrepreneurship (CICL)
Senior Design/Capstone projects offered in various majors to encourage students to think and create before going into their fields.
HAUBER Summer Research Program allows students to work alongside faculty for several weeks throughout the summer on a particular area of research
BAJA SAE Team - desgns, builds, and tests off-road vehicles
A plan is in progress for a research center
An innovation station is located in the library that offers technology available to all students and staff that promotes innovation
A design competition was formed to renovate one of the residential lounges to turn it into an innovation space
An innovation and entrepreneurship minor

Encouraging Faculty Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Loyola University Maryland has recently introduced a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The Loyola University Maryland minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship highlights innovation and nurtures an entrepreneurial mindset. Through this 18-credit program, students develop the capacity to identify commercially or socially viable products and learn how to bring them to market through a new venture or within an existing organization. The faculty at Loyola University Maryland also need greater encouragement to pursue I&E ventures in their research. Before the professors are tenured their research is scientifically based, with papers and theses following. Once the professor is tenured a contract is set in place for further research, but at present very few of these contracts lead to entrepreneurial research. A trend is in being established for more accountable and funded research. However, until professors on Loyola’s campus are supported in innovation and creativity based studies, a key aspect of the I&E environment on campus will still be lacking. Another program that promotes faculty innovation and entrepreneurship is the Hauber program. This is a program that faculty members can partner with a student to conduct research over the summer. This opportunity allows staff members and students to collaborate and produce new research. This allows for the progression of innovation and entrepreneurship for the staff and students alike.

Actively Supporting the University Technology Transfer Function

There is currently no tech transfer office or department set up on Loyola’s campus. However, there is the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. Through this department faculty gain research support and funding, for the Hauber program, for example. Additionally, students can contact this office to find funding for their research programs and aid in developing legal status (especially when outside corporations are involved). Other programs, such as engineering clubs are also being created to make steps forward in this venture. However, there are not many resources on campus and this field needs to be expanded in order to promote I&E.

Facilitating University-Industry Collaboration

Within the general Baltimore area there are maker space’s such as The Foundry, located downtown, and various metallurgy and casting mills, located in the Mount Washington area, open for public use. However, Loyola and these businesses/spaces have not yet formed any professional connections. Such a relationship would be extremely beneficial for students on the campus looking for design space and materials. More connections with mentors and networking in the area, especially with companies that encourage innovation, start-ups, and entrepreneurship, need to be made as well. We recently introduced a Maker's Space in our library, where students are able to access a variety of creative materials, including but not limited to sewing machines and a messy cart. We also hired a director of the University's new Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The appointment of this faculty member will help give students the tools to be agents of change. Another tool that has been utilized is the Handshake app. This app helps students make connections with outside industries and helps them find jobs. Another resource is the career center. This organization helps students work on their resumes and find jobs, therefore facilitating university-industry collaboration.

Engaging with Regional and Local Economic Development Efforts

Given Loyola’s location within the city of Baltimore, one would assume that there would be strong ties to venture capital firms, start-up incubators, and startup associated services. Alas, that is not yet the case. The aforementioned firms have taken little interest in providing their services and guidance to students; but such connections may be able to form, if given the right support. Furthermore, as of right now, Loyola does not have the capability to harbor a small business development center for the surrounding community. Some steps are being made to try to change this, however. For example, Loyola's center for community, service, and justice is trying to work with local groups to help better the Baltimore community. Another program called Baltipreneurs Accelerator is helping Loyola students innovate and create a more equitable Baltimore community. Programs such as these are starting to engage more with the Baltimore community, but there is still more work to be done to engage with regional and local economic development efforts.

Student Priorities

Click here to view our Student Priorities page, which briefly explains our long term projects/goals for getting the Innovation and Entrepreneurship ball rolling on our campus.