Conference Session

Best Practices in Interdisciplinary Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programs

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Karen Thornton, University of Maryland; Jacqueline Rogers, University of Maryland (Retired); Kristen Waters; Nathan Myers, University of Maryland; Lisa Rawlings, Prince George's Prince Community College

Tagged Divisions

Entrepreneurship & Engineering Innovation

: The program accepted some students who had terminal (non-transferable) degrees. Students who were enrolled in terminal (non transferable) degrees were advised they would need to change their majors, but were faced with the prospect of additional time at PGCC or UM as they completed requirements for a traditional bachelor’s degree. One Hillman Entrepreneur graduated with the two-year engineering tech degree and decided he needed to get a full-time job after earning that degree so he could support his family. The students are regularly challenged by conflicting responsibilities among jobs, parenting and family commitments. Some employers do not give students the flexibility to take afternoon

Conference Session

Best Practices in Interdisciplinary Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programs

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

William Birmingham, Grove City College; Blair Allison, Grove City College; James Dupree, Grove City College

Tagged Divisions

Entrepreneurship & Engineering Innovation

marketsand understanding customer needs. They also learned to appreciate each other’s disciplines.There were problems, however. It was difficult to get the students to work together (we call it the Page 12.681.2junior-high dance syndrome), the students tended to over optimize their components withoutregard for the product as a whole, and they did not fully appreciate the constraints of workingwith existing intellectual property as well as existing engineering and manufacturingconsiderations.Moreover, the class provided insight, stimulation, and an opportunity for faculty to collaborate inthe design, development, and execution of a course that