One way to provide students and entrepreneurs opportunities to work
with and contribute to the success of local economies is through the
creation of an on-campus entrepreneurship program.
When done right, such programs, which often include business
incubators that allow young companies to grow amid the comfort and
resources afforded a college campus, offer a win-win for colleges and
industry partners.
At Nebraska’s Southeast Community College (SCC), where I serve as president, our five-year-old Entrepreneurship Center has brought to light many of the benefits and challenges inherent in integrated business partnerships. If you are interested in pursuing a comprehensive entrepreneurial
education program on your campus, consider these lessons learned:
Lesson 1 A
successful entrepreneurship center requires three essential elements: a
comprehensive model; an ambitious team of employees to deliver
services, drive projects and explore new opportunities; and
entrepreneurial vision at an administrative level to ensure overall
innovation and growth.
The first step is to establish a vision. That vision should be
predicated upon the college’s strengths, the needs of the community and
the projected impact of the project. Your vision is more likely to be
successful when it is shared by the CEO, key administrative players, the
board of governors, employees and community partners.
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