 |
|
Students Launch Social Entrepreneurship Network The Swearer Center hosted a reception on May 23 that brought together more than fifty students and alumni social entrepreneurs to learn more about each others’ work and to launch Brown’s Social Entrepreneurship Network (SEN). Alan Harlam (Alan_Harlam@brown.edu), the Director of Brown’s Social Entrepreneurship programming, began the program with an overview of the programs being planned which seek to inspire and involve more students in social entrepreneurship and to provide support to entrepreneurs so their efforts are more impactful and sustainable. Key elements of the program for next year include expanded internship opportunities, a Social Entrepreneurship Boot Camp to build practical hands-on skills, a grant making process to channel seed funding to new student led initiatives, and a restructured Starr Fellowship to encourage the development of social entrepreneurship ideas. The highlight of the program were short presentations from ten of the founding members of SEN about their projects. Each of the entrepreneurs’ projects is featured on the Swearer Center’s Social Entrepreneurship web site. The enthusiasm among attendees was palpable. One alumnus explained, “Hearing about all the exciting work young Brown students are doing in social entrepreneurship really inspired me to get involved. I look forward to working with students, and I think this networking will help me in my own endeavors as well.” SEN aims to create a vibrant peer network that propels Brown social entrepreneurs through both on campus and virtual programming. The foundation of all programs will be a collaborative community where members offer and receive support and networking through a shared Brown identity. For student entrepreneurs, SEN will provide mentorship, training, and networking. For alumni, SEN will offer inter-connectivity, and access to recruitment, publicity, and scholarly advice. For all members, SEN will create a platform for seeking advice, creating partnerships, and connecting with other Brunonians in relevant fields, to help support each other’s social-minded pursuits. SEN will act as a strategic partner for the Brown University Social Entrepreneurship Program, and will also serve important functions that extend beyond campus into the larger Brown community. The presentations concluded with a brief overview of SEN and its vision for a vibrant professional network of student and alumni social entrepreneurs and an invitation to alumni to get involved. Alumni can help in many ways − as a mentor or advisor to a student entrepreneur, participating in Peer Critique sounding board sessions, or teaching a Boot Camp seminar or workshop. Contact Emma Clippinger at emma.clippinger@gmail.com or Charlie Harding at caharding@gmail.com if you are interested in offering your expertise or to get involved. |
|
 |
|