WASHINGTON (Aug. 18) - The Howard University Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation (The ELI Institute) today announced the launch of an "Entrepreneurship Boot Camp", an education program consisting of workshops and panels on launching, managing and operating business ventures. All incoming freshmen entering the University will be required to enroll in the one-semester orientation program.
The "Entrepreneurship Boot Camp" will offer general workshops on entrepreneurship by the D.C. Small Business Development Center at Howard University, panels directed by actual entrepreneurs and teamwork activities. Each team will be required to develop a business plan for a company that they could conceivably start. The top 10 business plans will receive awards at the end of the semester.
Joseph Loddo, director of the Washington-Metropolitan District Office of the Small Business Administration will participate in the first session scheduled today.
"The program will enhance our students' experience in entrepreneurship as we prepare them for success in an increasingly competitive global environment," said Barron Harvey, Ph.D., dean of the Howard University School of Business. "Most importantly, it will assist in educating the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs."
The ELI Institute was formed after the Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City, Mo, awarded Howard University $5 million for entrepreneurship education as part of its Kauffman Campuses initiative, in December 2003.
The University's winning proposal was based on how it planned to develop, expand and enhance entrepreneurship education in the areas of research, teaching, and service. The proposal was rated on a variety of factors, including the number of students reached, the variety of disciplines involved and the focus on experiential learning.
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation works with partners to encourage entrepreneurship across America and improve the education of children and youth. The Kauffman Foundation was established in the mid-1960s by the late entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman. More information about the Kauffman Foundation is available at www.kauffman.org.
Howard University is one of 48 U.S. private, doctoral/research-extensive universities and comprises 12 schools and colleges. Founded in 1867, the University offers students more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. Since 1998, the University has produced two Rhodes Scholars, a Truman Scholar, seven Fulbright Scholars and nine Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D.s than any other university in the world.
For more information on Howard University, call 202-238-2330, or visit the University's Web site at www.howard.edu.
