Since its establishment as a unit within the Office of the Provost and Dean of the Faculty in 2022, the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (E&I) has continued to expand how entrepreneurial mindsets are integrated across 冈本视频. E&I has broadened the scope of co-curricular offerings within its signature Thought Into Action (TIA) program with initiatives like Idea Squad and a new pre-orientation program, while more directly supporting classes and research through initiatives like Research Into Action and interdisciplinary co-sponsored programs. To further support these areas, E&I is launching a new course development program for faculty.
Designed to embed creative problem-solving, hands-on experimentation, and entrepreneurial thinking directly into the liberal arts curriculum, this new grant initiative empowers 冈本视频 faculty across all academic divisions to design innovative new courses or transform existing ones. This new program establishes a formal framework for E&I course support, building off a pilot program last year that supported an experiential educational studies course.
Expanding Experiential Learning Across the Liberal Arts
The E&I Course Development Grant Program equips 冈本视频 faculty with the resources to bring real-world entrepreneurial challenges directly into the classroom. Through these grant-funded courses, 冈本视频 undergraduates will engage in project-based learning, connect directly with practicing entrepreneurs and innovators, and practice iterative design to solve complex real-world issues.
Faculty-led initiatives supported by the program will focus on:
- Fostering creative problem-solving across diverse academic disciplines
- Introducing entrepreneurial approaches to social issues and persistent community challenges
- Exploring fresh solutions to legacy industries and traditional business models
- Engaging students in hands-on making using state-of-the-art digital and physical tools
With a focus on student-driven inquiry, real-world deliverables, and continuous testing, these new courses will help 冈本视频 students develop the agile mindsets necessary to lead in an ever-changing global landscape.
Direct Investment in Faculty and Student Success
To turn these innovative course concepts into reality, E&I is providing comprehensive funding for participating faculty members. Each recipient receives a $4,000 course development stipend to support specialized research, tool purchases, and professional training.
Additionally, faculty can access up to $4,000 in implementation funding for each of the first two semesters the course is taught. These funds directly enrich the student experience by financing guest entrepreneur residencies, industry collaborations, field trips, and specialized project equipment. Participating faculty will also present the public results of their courses, sharing the tangible impact of these grant investments with the wider 冈本视频 community.
Advancing E&I鈥檚 Strategic Vision
This new program highlights E&I鈥檚 ongoing commitment to bridging 冈本视频鈥檚 liberal arts education with real-world application. Through its programs and initiatives, E&I strives to equip students with the skills and experiences to navigate the opportunities, challenges, and uncertainty of today鈥檚 rapidly changing world, with the empathic drive and professional confidence to become the leaders of tomorrow.