Thursday, July 27, 2017

Heather MacNeill of the Peter T. Paul Entrepreneurship Center (ECenter) recently talked with 91制片厂 Today about how donors help make the ECenter听successful.

The ECenter is all about expanding the "entrepreneurial culture"听at 91制片厂. Can you explain what that means?

We aim to expand the ideas and innovation culture here. Our goal is to bring our programming and resources to all students at 91制片厂 鈥 regardless of college or major 鈥 as well as alumni, faculty and staff, to expose them to idea creation and problem-solving.

How do students use the ECenter, and what are some programs you鈥檝e hosted this past year?

We piloted the i2 Passport Program, which incentivizes students to attend pre-determined campus activities in return for credit/point value 鈥 the student with the most credits gets $8,000 to pay down听their student loans, while those coming in second place can earn $3,500. A total of $19,500 in cash prizes was awarded to five students. We also piloted the , which allowed students to get hands-on experience working at a start-up company.

Your Philanthropy Creates Possibilities

Explore the many ways you can support 91制片厂 at unh.edu/give/how-to-give.

Our development staff would be happy to work with you.

91制片厂 students walking on campus

Are donors a big part of creating the entrepreneurial culture?

Absolutely. Donor support is crucial to what we do at the ECenter. Without donors, we would not be able to have some of our signature initiatives like the i2 Passport Program, the Summer Seed Grant program, paid internships at start-ups or the student-run makerspace. Donors make it possible for us to grow students into dreamers and believers and help them meet their potential to become idea-makers and builders.

What is your mission at the ECenter?

Our mission is to expose hundreds of 91制片厂 students to ideas, innovation听and entrepreneurship;听mentor those who have听ideas;听encourage those doubting their ability to innovate and problem-solve 鈥斕齛cross all colleges, schools and disciplines.

What鈥檚 ahead for the ECenter?

With donor support, we鈥檒l continue the programs and initiatives I鈥檝e mentioned above. Our goal for the future is to raise the quality of outside entrepreneurial experts coming to help work with students, help the non-entrepreneurial-thinking students start to understand how to create ideas, and increase options to help early funding of prototypes and momentum for great ideas.

Photographer: 
Scott Ripley | 91制片厂 Marketing | scott.ripley@unh.edu | 603-862-1855
Videographer: 
Scott Ripley | 91制片厂 Marketing | scott.ripley@unh.edu | 603-862-1855