Now in its 3rd year, you can bring the popular NCIIA Student Ambassador program to your campus by sponsoring a student at your institution. A $5,000 sponsorship pays for the Student Ambassador of your choice to attend our acclaimed training to make a meaningful positive impact to the entrepreneurial ecosystem on your campus. New to this year's program is NCIIA's engagement in the NSF-funded Epicenter, which offers another dimension to the resources and network Student Ambassadors will bring to your campus.
WHAT IS AN NCIIA STUDENT AMBASSADOR?
NCIIA Student Ambassadors work to create networks and events that inspire university entrepreneurs; encourage them to become involved in NCIIA programs and activities; and support them to create inventions and innovations that have a social benefit. We believe that to be most effective at catalyzing innovation and entrepreneurship among students on university campuses, we need to work with the people on the ground.
"I formed a coalition of student leaders in entrepreneurship. This facilitated greater communication between groups and allowed our first annual Undergraduate Entrepreneurship week to be a success." -Maggie, Wake Forest University, 2011 cohort
Meet the 2011-12 cohort and read what they've been up to!
WHAT'S NEW FOR 2012-13?
Lots! This year NCIIA and the Epicenter are teaming up to provide additional activities for Student Ambassadors and their universities. And for 2012-13 ANY college or university willing to sponsor a Student Ambassador can have one!
WHAT'S IN IT FOR THE UNIVERSITY?
- A trained Student Ambassador who's part of a national network
- An early, inside track to Epicenter resources
- Nationally coordinated innovation activities on your campus and a student on the ground to ensure their success
- NCIIA membership, which allows any faculty or student to apply for NCIIA grants; also discounts to the NCIIA annual conference
"The University has acknowledged our work and the engineering school is very impressed by the thought of spreading "new ideas and innovation" in the campus. TedxColumbiaEngineeringSchool which was the I2V event here at Columbia has gained high popularity and the school has decided to organize this event every year now, many department are showing their interest to host this event under their umbrella."-Mayank, Columbia University, 2011 cohort
WHAT'S IN IT FOR THE STUDENT AMBASSADOR?
- Valuable experience in marketing, program planning, networking and managing projects
- Recognition as an expert in entrepreneurship on your campus
- The opportunity to be part of a renowned, national program and a network of inspiring and connected students from other universities and colleges around the country
- The opportunity to attend NCIIA's annual conference, March 2013
"I have been able to really analyze the entrepreneurial activities on campus and how collaborations can increase participation. I helped develop a program that will be implemented this fall called the Weatherford Garage that will bring entrepreneurial minds together in an intense yearlong program on running a business. This gives a new level to our already successful entrepreneurial programs for freshman engagement."-Jenny, Oregon State University 2011 cohort
WHAT WILL THE STUDENT AMBASSADOR DO?
- Hold one big event in the fall (TEDx, I2V) to promote awareness of technology-based invention and innovation for societal good
- Hold other innovation activities, like Epicenter Sparks (e.g., $50 challenge)
- Seek out potential NCIIA E-team grantees through their expanding personal network on campus
- Help Deans and Faculty with the entrepreneurship goals of their department or school
"Everyone who attended TEDxBU “Students Startup America” said is was great – informative and inspirational." -Joe, Boston University, 2012 cohort
"The Art Center College of Design is a school full of genuine curiosity, sparking creativity and directed passion, which makes it an incubator for potential young entrepreneurial spirits. The $50 Challenge was an event created to highlight these qualities and inspire the entrepreneurs of tomorrow." -Marianna, Art Center College of Design 2012 cohort
"It has been an exciting month at the University of Texas. Just in time for National Entrepreneurship Week, I hosted Michael Dell at an interactive event discussing his experiences beginning a startup in college and becoming the youngest CEO of a fortune 500 company. It was a full house! 477 excited students, faculty, and community members crowded in to hear Mr. Dell be interviewed by Dr. Bob Metcalfe, inventor of ethernet, founder of 3Com Corp., former partner at Polaris Ventures, and current professor of innovation at UT-Austin." -Mariel, University of Texas at Austin 2012 cohort
WE WANT A STUDENT AMBASSADOR ON OUR CAMPUS! HOW DO WE GET ONE?
- You are a Dean, Center Director or Lead Faculty in science, technology, engineering, math, entrepreneurship, business, or another tech-based discipline.
- You have identified an energetic, organized and inspiring student leader with an interest in entreprenership. This person should be a master networker and organizer and be skilled at working with various groups and constituents.
- This student is up for the challenge and can attend the mandatory training August 1-4.
- Sign up and pay at the Student Ambassador Sponsorship Page.
Want more than one? Universities and colleges may sponsor up to three per campus.
The size of the 2012-12 cohort is limited, so act soon! Deadline June 1.
Above:Team-building fun at the 2011-12 cohort training
WHY IS THE AUGUST 1-4 TRAINING MANDATORY FOR NEW STUDENT AMBASSADORS?
The training for Student Ambassadors is essential for the strong start of one's Student Ambassadorship. The four-day training covers topics as diverse as:
- Common Issues and Dynamics of the Campus Ecosystem
- How to organize a winning TEDx or I2V event
- Conducting a Landscape Analysis
In addition, the opportunity to hear from other Student Ambassadors about their campus environment enables students to benchmark best practices and bring back implementable solutions. The entire cohort of Student Ambassadors form a close bond that is maintained throughout the year, proving to be an important network of ideas, advice and support.
New to this year's training are Sparks, or exercises designed to catalyze innovation and creativity, which will be disseminated by the NCIIA and Epicenter. Students will be trained in the best ways to implement a Spark on your campus, and have an inside track to attain newly-publshed Sparks.
Still not convinced? Here's what former Student Ambassadors said they valued about the training experience:
"Meeting the other students and hearing their stories. It's very motivating, and I think even more valuable than any other aspect of training when you're working with a new group. The team building day at the ropes course was a huge help in accomplishing a connection within the group."
"Bringing together such an amazing group of staff and students to increase our networks and learn about the entrepreneurial activities going on on campuses around the US."
"The networking opportunity with the other great NCIIA Student Ambassadors. Created a sense of urgency to do extremely well since the group was exceptional. Sparked passion."
"I had a great time. Everyone was fantastic. I can't wait to get back to campus and blow people away."
"The teamwork and collaboration between NCIIA staff and new student ambassadors to layout a plan for building entrepreneurship at each of our Universities."
