US West

Center for Innovation

Metropolitan State College of Denver

Mick Jackowski, Director

Center for Innovation Overview

Established in the fall of 2007, the Center for Innovation serves all of its 22,000 students, plus the Denver Metropolitan community at-large.  Because Metro State has the largest population of students of color of any four-year institution in the state, the Center for Innovation emphasizes connecting with underserved populations.

Its location in downtown Denver affords the Center for Innovation access to many successful entrepreneurs.  Through the Center, Metro State students gain valuable real-world experience from relationships with entrepreneurial organizations in the area.

Mission

The mission of the Center for at Metropolitan State College of Denver is to bring more entrepreneurial options and opportunities to underserved populations; such as:

·        People of Color

·        Women

·        Urban Youth

·        Non-Business Students

Philosophy

Centered around a philosophy of creative problem-solving, the Center for Innovation offers a unique blend of courses and programs designed to empower students and members of the community to consider entrepreneurship or social entrepreneurship as their life’s path.

Strategy

The Center for Innovation will be an entrepreneurial center built by the business community.  We take the recommendations of experts in the field and implement them.  This way we know we are developing the most relevant and practical center possible.

Our Unique Curriculum

Through our Faculty Fellowship program, entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship courses are developed for our minor and certificate program.  Our opening course, Creative-Problem Solving will be offered in the spring 2009.  Mentorship’s and Internships are a requirement for our minor program, and our capstone course, New Venture Creation, will help select companies actually launch.

Our Programs

The Center for Innovation currently offers and sponsors the following programs:

• Faculty Fellowships – designed to stimulate and support the development and teaching of entrepreneurship and innovation in various disciplines, our Faculty Fellows nurture the entrepreneurial spirit across the curriculum at Metro State.
• Success in Arts- provides entrepreneurial training to art students.
• E-Mentorship- matches high school and college students with entrepreneurial experts.
• Step 13- provides entrepreneurial training to people fighting addictions.
• Business Plan Competition-helps high school students in Denver public schools begin to realize their dreams.
• Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization-our campus chapter of this national organization.

For More Information

Center for Innovation

Campus Box 85A

P.O. Box 173362

Denver, CO 80217-3362

303-352-4492

mjackows@mscd.edu

www.MetroStateInnovate.org