UNR Entrepreneurship Program

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What: In the effort to build entrepreneurial capacities into a population, college level entrepreneurship programs are situated at the top of the capacity building ladder, fundamentally important to the success of the capacity building effort. The UNR Entrepreneurship program, which consists of a minor in Entrepreneurship and an MBA area of emphasis, is new. The first classes will be offered during the Fall 2010 semester. Because of tight state budgets, this program can survive and prosper only if it is supported by the community. The need support is both financial and experiential. The funding is needed for teacher salaries and course materials, while the experience of the community's top entrepreneurs is needed to bring the practicalities of entrepreneurial ventures to students.

Who: Project leader: Chris Howard Initial Team: Chris Howard, Mark Pingle Project Secretary: Mark Pingle

How: As the initial curriculum is taught, entrepreneurs from the community will be recruited as invited speakers, so students receive learning from the experiences of the entrepreneurs and so the entrepreneurs get connected to the program. A modules course will be created to further connect entrepreneurs to the program, while students benefit from their experience. Local entrepreneurs will be given opportunities to review and critique the entrepreneurship program, and this feedback will be used to improve the program. As the program develops, a benefactor or set of benefactors will be sought to endow the entire program as a center and endow professorships.

When: A team will be formed to support the UNR entrepreneurship program by August 31, 2010. This team will review the current program during the Fall, 2010. The feedback obtained will be used to fine tune the fall courses and obtain ideas for improving the program by making larger adjustments over time. The modules course will be created by August 2010, and the first modules will be taught during the 2010-2011 school year. One or more benefactors for the program are hoped to be obtained by June 2011.

Metrics: The number of students in the undergraduate minor. The number of students in the MBA area of emphasis. The number of entrepreneurs connected to the program by speaking to classes. The number of entrepreneurs connected to the program through teaching a modules course. The amount of money received from benefactors. The number of changes made to the program, recognized as improvements coming from the feedback of students or entrepreneurs.

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