Entrepreneurship and Innovation Session

Organizers: Thomas Byers, Director and co-PI, National Center for Engineering Pathways to Innovation (Epicenter), Stanford University, and Richard B. Brown, Dean of Engineering, The University of Utah Speakers: Richard Brown, Dean of Engineering, The University of Utah; Paul Slusser, Co-Founder, Power Practical Inc.; Thomas Byers, Professor, Stanford University; Phil Weilerstein, President, VentureWell; Riley Csernica, Clemson University; Katherine Banks, Dean of Engineering, Texas A&M University; Melinda McClure, President of Student Engineers Council, Texas A&M University; John DesJardins, Professor and Director, Clemson University; Breanne Przestrzelski, University Innovation Fellow, Clemson University. Integrating the entrepreneurial skills, knowledge and experiences related to innovation with modern engineering education and commercialization initiatives has become a critical opportunity and challenge at all colleges and universities. Many programs have been developed in recent years to provide such educational opportunities and to support greater levels of entrepreneurship in engineering schools. In this dynamic session, tangible models that both build on existing resources on campus and leverage the growing networks of national programs, networks, and resources were showcased. Panelists provided concrete recommendations for action from multiple stakeholder perspectives encompassing both educational and commercialization objectives. Topics addressed include developing a healthy commercialization ecosystem; leveraging innovation and entrepreneurship to improve student outcomes and diversity; and how to engage students as leaders of change. The audience had the opportunity to engage in active discussions and exercises designed to inform and inspire leadership regarding this topic and stimulate further action after returning to campus.