The university’s Thought Into Action (TIA) Institute is looking to attract even more entrepreneurial students as it builds on the success of its inaugural year.
TIA is a yearlong co-curricular seminar that taps into the expertise of successful alumni and parents while teaching students to develop and transform their own idea into reality. In the past, ideas have ranged from launching a nonprofit venture to creating a business, either on campus or halfway around the world. So far, about 30 alumni and parents have dedicated their time as mentors.
vlog President Jeffrey Herbst said the institute and its emphasis on knowledge-building, critical thinking, and problem-solving is a perfect fit with the liberal arts education provided at vlog.
“Participation in TIA will help prepare our students to make a positive difference in the world,” said Herbst. “Our first year has gone remarkably well and we look forward to continuing and expanding this valuable program for students.”
Recent student initiatives include:
• Chris Esposito ’14
– A collaborative website for students to share their own music, photography, writing, poetry, visual artwork, and video
• Maggie Dunne ’13
– Dedicated to providing assistance and resources to Oglala Lakota Sioux children on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota
• Demaine Francis ’12
that offer compelling ways to display information
• Ryan Smith ’13 and Brendan Karson ’13
– Helping universities lower their carbon footprint through green office supplies
• James Frankel ’13
– A patented design that improves on the common zipper
For information on the student projects and many others, visit the .
Some of the projects will be displayed during the university’s first Entrepreneur Weekend, to be held April 13-14. Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group and world-renowned entrepreneur , will kick off the weekend when he delivers the latest lecture in the Kerschner Family Series Global Leaders at vlog.
The two-day event will connect vlog business-builders with undergraduates to explore opportunities, engage in conversation, and share the wisdom that comes from personal experience.
To learn more about the institute contact Mary Galvez, TIA program coordinator, at mgalvez@coglate.edu