Students innovators are eager for entrepreneurship and innovation (E&I) to be a part of their educational experience. The recently released infographic by YoungEntrepreneur.com articulates this well: early-adopter student innovators are taking a leadership role and would greatly benefit from access to national models, benchmarks, network, guidance, inspiration and other resources.
That’s why we are supporting a national movement led by students. The Student Ambassadors Program, a joint venture of NCIIA and Stanford, as part of the Epicenter, provides training and access to resources that help student leaders become evangelists to their peers and campus administration. Student Ambassadors are helping other students realize, in STEM and other disciplines, that engagement in innovation activity can lead to positive social and environmental change. Student Ambassadors are also liaising with campus officials on policy and institutional change, advocating for a more entrepreneurial climate for students. Empowering student leaders with training, a network of like-minded peers, a work plan and ongoing oversight gives Student Ambassadors the tools they need to lead an effective movement.
Tom Byers, moderator of the session, will set the stage and provide an overview of the Epicenter's efforts, followed by a spotlight on two specific campuses exemplifying the student-led movement, Penn State and Johns Hopkins. Three stakeholders--the Student Ambassadors, their Faculty Advisors and a Student-led Venture on that campus--will offer perspectives on the good, the bad and the ugly from their unique vantage points.
