• Strategy #1: Creating Space for Creativity

Creating a space for Innovation and Entrepreneurship on the Menlo College campus is difficult because of our small size. Menlo College has a little less than 1000 students and already uses up almost all of its space.  That is why we thought of setting up temporary innovation spots outside around campus.

We would stake out a location on campus and during certain parts of the day, we would set up an outside creative space. We would have a shed nearby that contains chairs, tables, white boards, music speakers, bean bags. We would also have a crate that is full of resources for the students, markers, sticky notes, pens, some days we would bring pizza, fresh fruit, and beverages.

We feel that a creative space outside, with the trees, fresh air, and something that would offer a new scene rather than be inside, like every classroom, would ignite more creative thinking. 

• Strategy #2: Bringing Awareness to On-Campus Resources

Menlo College has a limited of already established, on-campus resources related to entrepreneurship and innovation. However, the resources Menlo currently provides its students with are underutilized. One area students should utilize more is the Oral and Communications center. Next, by adding a specific space for innovation on campus, students will be able to have an area to cultivate their own business ventures. In addition, clubs and other campus organizations can put on events and skill-building workshops in our space for innovation on campus. This will bring students together and excite them to pursue their entrepreneurial visions. Another area of interest could be partnering with the Academic Success Center, where we could organize game night challenges related to academia and have peer tutors as well as other faculty be guest judges.

• Strategy #3: Strengthening Curriculum and On-Campus Clubs

Menlo College is currently undergoing a revamp in part of their education curriculum, specifically in regards to the entrepreneurship major. A committee at Menlo is thinking about possibly developing a course at Menlo that would combine aspects of "social innovation" (improving society) and entrepreneurship, with the goal of eventually incorporating it in other classes. One concept that would be covered in this potential "social innovation entrepreneurship" course is using entrepreneurship to solve problems with California's affordable housing crisis or climate change. 

Another idea that is being discussed at Menlo is incorporating "themes" into the curriculum to help students find and develop their personal passions with business - if you like technology, you would take "technology entrepreneurship". Another idea is combining some class, so biology would combine with a business course to become "biotechnology" or something. 

• Strategy #4: Business Vocabulary and other skills necessary for business

UIF gives us the perfect platform to be able to share what we are about. The fact that Menlo College is located in the heart of Silicon Valley means that we are surrounded by all types of business. Design think is a great tool we have been able to use, and as a group we have identified different areas our campus needs work on. This tool is not only perfect for our campus, but it is also a great skill to take onto the workforce. A way to teach the new vocabulary and skills would be to host annual events and workshops that would enable our students to have a much more in depth and better understanding of what it means to empathize, research, analyze, prototype, and most importantly, will teach students not to be afraid of failure.