William & Mary’s Entrepreneurship Hub: Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Mindset Across Campus
Dispelling the Misconception
The common notion that entrepreneurship solely involves launching new ventures is a misconception. At William & Mary’s Entrepreneurship Hub, Assistant Provost Graham Henshaw and his team emphasize that entrepreneurship encompasses more than just ventures. They promote a mindset and skillset applicable to various endeavors, including startups, student organizations, non-profits, internships, and dream jobs. This approach, agnostic to specific applications, empowers individuals to discover where entrepreneurial thinking can make the most significant impact in their lives.
The Focus on Entrepreneurial Thinking
The Entrepreneurship Hub’s primary focus is cultivating entrepreneurial thinking, a specific set of skills and mindset possessed by successful entrepreneurs. This focus is evident in the nine-foot set of decals adorning the hub’s main wall, highlighting skills such as opportunity discovery, failing wisely, improvisation, and collaboration, along with a mindset that embraces risk, ambiguity, grit, and self-direction.
This emphasis on entrepreneurial thinking aligns with the demands of today’s job market, where employers increasingly seek graduates and interns with these skills and mindset. Recruiters recognize the value of entrepreneurial thinking in various roles and industries, making it a valuable asset for William & Mary graduates.
A Broader Perspective on Entrepreneurship Education
To further strengthen the university’s commitment to entrepreneurship, William & Mary appointed Graham Henshaw as the assistant provost for entrepreneurship, a university-wide position created to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset across campus. This strategic move aims to support the growth of entrepreneurial thinking in three key domains: curricular efforts, professional development, and careers, in line with the university’s Vision 2026 strategic plan.
Henshaw’s research, in collaboration with Chief Career Officer Kathleen Powell and other universities, explores the early career trajectories of students exposed to entrepreneurship. Preliminary findings suggest that entrepreneurship students fare better in certain measures of early career outcomes. This work contributes to a broader understanding of the impact of entrepreneurship education and encourages a discussion about alternative ways to assess its effectiveness.
The Entrepreneurship Hub: A One-Stop Shop for Entrepreneurial Endeavors
Located in Tribe Square, the Entrepreneurship Hub serves as a central hub for undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, staff, and regional entrepreneurs to sharpen their skills and gain support for their entrepreneurial aspirations. This 7,000-square-foot facility offers a creative and cutting-edge environment, featuring a large main space, meeting rooms, workspaces, and streaming capabilities.
The hub operates on a three-part model of “Learn, Engage, Build,” providing resources such as a mentor network, micro-courses, whiteboards, guest speakers, pitch competitions, and entrepreneurial ecosystem excursions. Additionally, it offers longer programs like the Tribe Ventures Accelerator and Launchpad, which provide intensive support to student-run initiatives and regional entrepreneurs.
Connecting with the hub’s staff or a mentor is often the first step for individuals seeking guidance and support. This personalized attention aligns with William & Mary’s commitment to providing the most personal education among public universities.
A Diverse and Inclusive Entrepreneurial Community
Since its inception in 2019, the Entrepreneurship Hub has attracted over 1,000 students from nearly 50 different majors, fostering a diverse and inclusive entrepreneurial community. This diversity is reflected in the hub’s alumni founder wall, which showcases the graduation years and majors of over 100 alumni founders.
This diversity aligns with Henshaw’s vision for entrepreneurship at William & Mary, which he describes as “W&M raised to the power of entrepreneurship.” He emphasizes that entrepreneurial thinking complements and enhances the deep disciplinary knowledge that students gain from their primary majors. This approach contributes to the hub’s traction and success, as it resonates with students from various backgrounds and interests.
Symbiotic Relationships: Alumni as Resources and Consumers
Alumni play a vital role in the Entrepreneurship Hub, both as resources and consumers of its offerings. They actively engage with the hub, seeking guidance, advice, and connections. The hub provides a safe and supportive environment where alumni can ask questions, explore ideas, and receive feedback without feeling judged.
Alumni also contribute to the hub’s value by providing real-life case studies and opportunities for students to apply their entrepreneurial skills. This symbiotic relationship benefits both alumni and students, fostering a collaborative and supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
A Vision for the Future: W&M as a Hub of Entrepreneurial Thinking
Henshaw and his team envision a future where William & Mary is widely recognized for its entrepreneurial thinkers, including students, faculty, staff, and regional entrepreneurs. They aim to create a culture where spotting new opportunities, creating MVPs of academic programs, and solving operational needs through grit and improvisation are considered par for the course. This vision has the potential to impact not only the university but also the broader community and the world at large.
Call to Action:
Are you an aspiring entrepreneur with a passion for making a difference? Join William & Mary’s vibrant entrepreneurial community and unleash your potential. Visit the Entrepreneurship Hub today to learn more about our programs, resources, and opportunities. Together, let’s shape the future of innovation and entrepreneurship.