BEYOND ENTREPRENEURSHIP COURSES: STRATEGY, STRUCTURE AND PROCESSES AT ILLINOIS TECH TO BECOME AN ENTREPRENEURIAL UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Objective: Creating a new generation of high impact entrepreneurs is one of the roles of the most important universities of the world. To do that, there is a need to not only develop a set of entrepreneurship courses but articulate them with an overall entrepreneurship and innovation strategy. Method: We use the case study methodology to present how Illinois Tech, an university that lists entrepreneurship education as a core value in its mission, developed and implemented the strategy, structure and processes to create a strong entrepreneurial culture across the campus, as well offering opportunities to student hands-on projects in all the courses and all the time, through multiple coordinating levels of support. Originality/Relevance: The structure provided to support the strategy includes innovation labs, Tech park, an Entrepreneurship Center, the Entrepreneurship Academy, among other committees and key external community members to connect the University projects to the regional entrepreneurship ecosystem. Results: The process is based on building a road that the student has to travel, from academic courses to co-curricular opportunities to further develop and apply their business knowledge through competitions, industry events and student organizations. Theoretical/methodological contributions: For the students who want to develop and launch their start-ups there is a variety of campus resources, from facilities to mentors to funding connections. Illinois Tech is also committed to identifying the business needs in the community and pairing students with industry contacts to address these needs, particularly through partnerships with the I-PRO program, faculty outreach, career centers and campus research centers.