Think Like an Entrepreneur Academy at Rowan University: A Success Story

Rowan University’s Think Like an Entrepreneur (TLAE) academy, nestled within the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Rohrer College of Business, wasn’t just a summer fling for high schoolers in . This year, the program saw a surge in applications, packing the house with nearly ninety eager students hailing from four different states. What’s the big draw? This ain’t your grandma’s summer school. It’s a four-day deep dive into the world of entrepreneurship, all totally free for the attendees. Sponsored by TD Bank and brought to life by the Rowan Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (RCIE), TLAE is all about tackling real-world problems head-on, using the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a launchpad.

Program Highlights

This year’s TLAE wasn’t messing around. The program saw a whopping 30% jump in students showing up in person compared to past years. That speaks volumes, not just about the program’s rad reputation, but also about RCB climbing the ranks as a top-tier business school (they snagged the spot in entrepreneurship according to Princeton Review, NBD).

Focus on SDGs

We’re not talkin’ about textbook hypotheticals here. TLAE threw down the gauntlet, challenging students to roll up their sleeves and wrestle with some of the planet’s most pressing issues, from healthcare access to global hunger, all through the lens of the SDGs. Imagine a room buzzing with young minds brainstorming solutions, the air thick with the electricity of ideas.

Example : One crew of students zeroed in on the healthcare conundrum. Their mission? To dream up a mobile health clinic prototype that could bring free medical care straight to low-income areas starving for quality healthcare. No more waiting rooms, no more outrageous bills – just good ol’ fashioned care, where and when it’s needed most.

Example : Meanwhile, another team had their sights set on the global stage, tackling hunger in Sri Lanka. Their weapon of choice? High-quality fertilizer brewed from composted food waste. The goal? To supercharge crop yields after the government, in a bid to go green, banned chemical fertilizers, throwing their agricultural output into a tailspin. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade!

Experiential Learning

This wasn’t some stuffy lecture series where you doze off in the back row. TLAE was a full-on immersive experience, turning Business Hall into a hotbed of collaborative energy.

• Students were thrown into the deep end, teaming up in small groups to hash out their game-changing ideas. Think brainstorming sessions fueled by coffee and that “aha!” moment energy.
• But they didn’t stop at brainstorming. Oh no, these kids were all about action. They took their ideas from concept to reality in Studio , RCIE’s “maker space,” a playground for innovation where they could get their hands dirty building physical models of their brainchildren.
• And just when you thought it couldn’t get any cooler, they got to rub shoulders with faculty and current Rowan students in Creatives , an experiential learning lab where creativity and entrepreneurship collide.

Incorporation of Cutting-Edge Technology

Let’s be real, in it’s all about harnessing the power of tech, and TLAE was no exception. They went all-in, integrating AI tools to give students an edge and help them streamline their workflow. Forget clunky processes – this was about working smarter, not harder.

Here’s a sneak peek at how they used AI to supercharge their projects:

• Need eye-popping imagery or innovative designs? AI was on the case, churning out visuals that would make your jaw drop.
• Struggling with marketing materials or website copy? AI swooped in like a superhero, whipping up compelling content and even lending a hand with app development. Talk about a secret weapon!

Program Success and Recognition

After days of brainstorming, prototyping, and fine-tuning their ideas, it was time for the TLAE grand finale: the project competition. The energy in the room was palpable, a mix of nervous excitement and fierce determination. Each team, armed with their innovative solutions, pitched their hearts out to a panel of judges who had seen it all.

But in the end, there could only be one winner. And the coveted first-place trophy went to…drumroll please…Team “Just Future”! This crew of bright sparks blew the judges away with their ingenious concept: using the power of technology to pull back the curtain on government, increasing transparency and making civic engagement a breeze. Imagine a world where staying informed and making your voice heard is as easy as ordering takeout – that’s the future Team “Just Future” envisioned.

And the cherry on top? The winning team was a melting pot of students from different high schools, proving that collaboration is where the magic happens.

Quotes and Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it— the success of TLAE is best captured in the words of those who lived it.

“This generation is on fire! They’re passionate about what’s happening in the world, and they’re not afraid to dream big and make a real difference. TLAE gives them the tools and the platform to turn those dreams into reality.” – Jessica Vattima, RCIE Assistant Director

“The SDGs might sound high-level, but they’re about real issues that hit home for these students. We’re talking about healthcare, hunger, equality – things they care about deeply. And by weaving in cutting-edge AI tools, we’re not just giving them a taste of the future, we’re empowering them to shape it.” – Mike Dominik, Senior Lecturer of Entrepreneurship

And it wasn’t just the faculty who were blown away. Students like Jeffrey Schwantes, Devon Kodish, and Sophia Counselor, who came to TLAE with their own unique perspectives and passions, raved about the experience.

“TLAE opened my eyes to the power of entrepreneurship. It’s not just about starting a business, it’s about solving problems that matter. I learned so much from collaborating with other students and seeing how our ideas could actually make a difference.” – Jeffrey Schwantes, TLAE Participant

“I’ve always been interested in technology, but TLAE showed me how to use it for good. Working with AI to design solutions for real-world problems was mind-blowing. I can’t wait to see what the future holds!” – Devon Kodish, TLAE Participant

Conclusion

TLAE wasn’t just another summer program; it was a launchpad for future changemakers. By providing high school students with a potent cocktail of entrepreneurial thinking, hands-on learning, and cutting-edge technology, RCIE ignited a spark in these young minds, empowering them to tackle global challenges head-on. The program’s continued growth and the overwhelmingly positive feedback from both students and faculty are a testament to its impact, proving that the future of innovation is in good hands—and minds!