Washtenaw Community College has had success with its entrepreneurship center and co-working space by developing programs targeted at specific industries and occupational areas at the community college. This information was presented at the 2015 Trends in Occupational Education Conference.

1. Occupational
Education =
Entrepreneurship
WCC Entrepreneurship Center
October 15, 2015
Kimberly Hurns
Dean – Business & Computer Technologies
http://ec.wccnet.edu/

2. WHAT’S A BUSINESS THAT WAS NOT
STARTED BY AN ENTREPRENEUR?

3. WHAT PROGRAMS AT YOUR
COLLEGE WOULD BENEFIT BY
ADDING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS A
CAREER PATH?

4. Fruitful Opportunities…Our Agenda
Occupational Education is filled with
entrepreneurial opportunities
Internal strategies that produce results
Best practices to engage faculty,
students and the community to build a
strong entrepreneurial ecosystem

5. Define the Ecosystem
What is the climate in your
community?
What is your niche?
How will you work with other players?
How will you introduce your brand?

6. We started with community
outreach/branding. We learned
about the entrepreneurship
ecosystem.

7. It’s a Startup!
We started very lean, no endowment
Positioned as a student service
Co-working instead of incubation
Switzerland (the library) facilitated the
staff/faculty steering committee
Started in Workforce Development, ended up in
the Business Division
Part-time staff (hire collaborators)
It’s the retail front for SBDC and the brand for
entrepreneurship across campus

9. Programming is Key!
Partner with faculty
Partner with
organizations
Partner with
professionals
Partner with offices
across campus
Patronize small
businesses and
students

11. Targeting
specific
programs
has been a
key success
factor.

12. Programming Requires Marketing
Meetings with faculty
Classroom visits
Host classrooms in the center
Monthly meeting with
marketing
Community/organization
calendars
Weekly newsletter
Selective public relations
Traditional campus
communication, including flyers

13. Community Outreach

14. Campus Open House hosted
120 people
Public Open House hosted
65 people
Manages approximately 100
clients
Served 175 students, staff,
and community
Have added interns, work
study and volunteers to
manage center and demand
Entrepreneurial Classroom
Series
It’s Working!

15. Planning for the Future (start with why)
Targeting specific programs like automotive and IT
Pitch competition in Spring 2016 to expand community
reach and financial support
Grant Funding
Expand Staff

16. QUESTIONS & IDEAS