2022-2023 Academic Catalog 
    
    Oct 18, 2024  
2022-2023 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor and Program


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Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor Overview


Clark University’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor, housed within the School of Management, is designed to support and complement your quest, passion, business idea, field of study, or whatever motivates you, to develop endeavors to build your future. Entrepreneurship at Clark University is experiential and students actually implement there ideas in the classroom to be shared with the Clark community. Ventures that move past the classroom are supported by robust hands-on experiences, events, and activities, helping the young entrepreneur develop their entrepreneurial endeavor.  Seed money, resources, and mentorship are available through the E&I Program.

 

The Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor is complimented with several auxiliary organizations, events, and clubs, which enhance learning and venture growth. Check out our student run website for more information on how to get involved with other entrepreneurial students on campus: https://www.clarkstudentventures.com/


For additional information on our program offerings, please contact the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor Manager, Teresa Quinn at (508) 421-3730 or email tquinn@clarku.edu.
 

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program Mission Statement


The mission of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor is to discover, cultivate, and propel innovative and entrepreneurial endeavors of Clark students, regardless of major or field of study. Whether the student is intrinsically motivated to solve social issues or to become financially profitable through business ownership, the Clark University Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor supports and guides entrepreneurial progression of the individual, for the betterment of the collective.

 

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor Requirements


The Clark University Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor requires completion of six units:

 

  • Two units in Entrepreneurial Foundations courses,
  • Three units in Exploring (electives) Entrepreneurship, and
  • One unit in Experiencing Entrepreneurship,

 

Learning objectives are to innovative relevant cutting-edge entrepreneurial endeavors and to develop applicable skills that can launch meaningful and sustainable ventures.

 

The Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor is designed as a road map to assist students with progression to start, run, and sustain a business, social cause, or venture. The Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor pairs well with all Clark University majors to assist students in pursuing their entrepreneurial goals in relation to their field of study.

 

Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in their minor courses. It is recommended that students declare a minor by the end of their sophomore year.

 

Entrepreneurial Foundations (Complete 2 Units)


Entrepreneurial Foundations courses for the Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor are designed to develop a general understanding and practice of entrepreneurial ventures. Students will develop skills in business and venture idea generation, ideation, and implementation. Additionally, students interact and gain knowledge from multiple resources on campus, as well as the surrounding community, to understand how business-ownership and venture development supports positive change. Students pursuing an entrepreneurship and innovation minor must take both Entrepreneurial Foundations courses to complete the minor. 

 

It is recommended that students take these courses during their first year and/or sophomore year to prepare for the Exploration and Experiential courses. ENT115 Entrepreneurship: Art of the New is the prerequisite course for most Exploring Entrepreneurship elective courses.

Exploring (Electives) Entrepreneurship (Complete 3 units)


Courses in Exploring Entrepreneurship are designed to offer a variety of different topics for students to explore and continue development of their entrepreneurial and innovative venture. Course selections in this area should be made in consultation with the student’s E&I minor advisor to ensure the progression in their particular entrepreneurial journey.  A combination of one unit and half-unit courses from the Exploring Entrepreneurship list can be used. The courses in this section are offered on a rotating basis to promote flexibility in course selection options.

Experiencing Entrepreneurship (Complete 1 unit)


The final requirement of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor is intentionally focused and designed for students to practice and experience entrepreneurship.  The courses in Experiencing Entrepreneurship challenge students to prepare their venture for sustainability after graduation. Your choice of Experiencing Entrepreneurship will reflect your area of interest - business, community, or global entrepreneurship. Courses should be selected in consultation with your minor advisor and/or the E&I Minor Manager.  

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Directed Study, Self Study, and other Credit Opportunities


Other opportunities to complete your minor or to explore entrepreneurship at Clark University.

 

In partnership with the arts,  ARTS 254 - Designer as Entrepreneur can to substituted for an elective credit.

ENT 299 Directed Study, students must first contact an Entrepreneurship faculty member to design a course.

ENT250 Entrepreneurial Mentoring is a self-directed course for those interested in mentoring high school students, adult learners, or communities in entrepreneurship. This course can be repeated for credit.

 

Contact Teresa Quinn, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program Manager at tquinn@clarku.edu for more information on these extra opportunity courses.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programing


The Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor at Clark University is supported with robust programming opportunities to promote and enhance the student’s entrepreneurial experience.

 

Clark Collective


The Clark Collective,  is a collection of like-minded Clark students that promote entrepreneurship on campus. The Collective hosts weekly popups on Red Square for all student businesses to showcase their products and service. Up to 40 student businesses join the festivities at the popups where all students are encouraged to come shop!

Clark Thrift Store


The Clark Thrift Store (CTS) is a 100% student run business. The CTS sells thrifted clothing at student-budget prices, plus provides space to several student’s businesses through the vendor partnership program. Additionally, the CTS hosts several events throughout the semester such as student art exhibits, fashion shows of student curated pieces, jewelry workshops, and other entrepreneurial events. The store originated out of Clark Tank back in 2010. The store has gone through several changes over the years, and has blossomed into not only an excellent priced thrift store, but also a retail store front for Clark’s student small businesses. The store is located at 930 Main Street.

Clark Tank


Clark Tank is the host to four exciting entrepreneurial events. Clark Tank - Venture Development. This event is a months-long event that provides seed money to small businesses; Clark Tank - App Design Challenge, which helps students design apps and build a solid pitch; Clark Tank - Crowdfunding where students actually launch a crowdfunding campaign through a reputable platform; and the Business Plan Competition, where student develop an idea into a pitch’able venture. All four events involving students presenting to a judges panel for additional funding.

E&I for You & I Podcast - all things Clark Entrepreneurship


Be a part of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program’s weekly podcast by bringing your take on entrepreneurship. Along with a regular student host, students in the E&I Program can be a part of the podcast through guest speaking, events information, business and venture marketing, and other related topics.

Entrepreneurship Club


The Entrepreneurship Club is a resource and gathering place for motivated student entrepreneurs to propel their entrepreneurial endeavors to the next level. The club members also act as student ambassadors to guest and visitor of the the Entrepreneurship and Innovation department.

Student Small Business Center


The Student Small Business Center (SSBC) is a 100% student run business. The center provides services such as business card, sticker, and flyer printing, shipping assistance and label making, as well as assistance with website design and marketing. The SSBC is located in the Clark Thirft Store - 930 Main Street.

Food Truck Combi


The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program added a food combi to the mix in the spring of 2021. This retro VW combi van is completely refurbished with a commercial grade kitchen, including a pizza oven and crepe maker! The truck is currently part of ENT264 Community-based Entrepreneurship, but can also be used by the Program and E&I minors interested in operating their business out of the truck in the community.

International Entrepreneurship


The Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor supports understanding entrepreneurship in global economies. Courses within the minor give opportunity to travel nationally and internationally to work closely with social entrepreneurs throughout the world.

TIE - Center for Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship


TIE is a club that works with several campus staff, faculty, and students to operate a co-working space on campus to foster and promote innovation. TIE also supports students in Hack-a-thons and other innovation and entrepreneurial contests throughout the New England area.

Entrepreneurship Honor Society - Sigma Nu Tau


Clark University’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program joined Sigma Nu Tau Entrepreneurship Honor Society in the spring of 2022. Clark students will be recognized and inducted into the EHS at the end of the school year and will receive one year of membership. Students qualify for membership with a 3.6 GPA in entrepreneurship courses, must be a junior or senior, with a completed minor including currently enrolled courses. Additionally, to be considered for EHS, the student must be active in entrepreneurship across campus.

 

 

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Faculty


The Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor’s full and part-time faculty bring a wide range of entrepreneurial experience. Many professors have worked internationally with entrepreneurs to implement social change; many are authors and business owners. All of our professors are experts in the field of entrepreneurship.

Full-time Entrepreneurship and Innovation Faculty and Staff


Faculty

John Dobson, D.B.A.

Staff

Teresa Quinn, M.Ed., MS, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program Manager

 

 

Part-Time Faculty


David Jordan, MPA, DHA

Jessica Grupposo, MBA

Ulysses Youngblood, MBA

Staci Harjis, MBA

Lauren Kendzierski, MA

Kevin Bechard, MBA

Tim Hally, MBA ‘19 ‘20

Lawrence Norman, MBA ‘95

Teresa Quinn, MEd, MS, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program Manager

 

 

 

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