“The Center’s programs and activities are meant to inspire students to engage in entrepreneurial activities, to promote entrepreneurship literacy and to foster economic development in this region,” explains Zimmerman. “The Center supports the internships so small, startup companies, which often cannot afford to pay interns, are able to benefit from having talented bright students work for them. At the same time, students are getting exposure to entrepreneurial environments,” says Zimmerman.“It’s a win-win situation.”
Expanding students’ education
An important aspect of the strategic plan is its emphasis on students’ whole growth - their personal, intellectual and civic development. Part of this is achieved through their cocurricular or out-of-classroom experiences, including those that help build leadership skills. Charlie Warner, the director of Student Leadership and Involvement, estimates that there are over 10,000 student leaders within the more than 260 clubs and student organizations on campus today. Through corporate partnerships and with the help of faculty and alumni, Warner and others in Student Affairs strive to provide both seasoned and emerging student leaders with
specific skill sets. This academic year alone, about 20 student leadership development opportunities are being offered to students, including certificate programs, series, leadership training, leadership conferences, retreats, mentoring, and a new program that looks at leadership from a global perspective. Most notably, over half of these programs are organized with new students in mind. “This February will be the twenty-seventh year that WCU has been doing intentional leadership building through its annual spring leadership conference,” says Warner. Sponsored by State Farm, the day-long program features talks by nationally recognized experts in leadership and breakout sessions on leadership development, many of which are facilitated by alumni. Warner is excited about the strategic plan’s call for the creation of an undergraduate minor or major in leadership studies through the collaboration of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs. “I believe what we try to accomplish in our leadership programming corresponds with the academic mission,” says Warner. “Ultimately, we are working together toward a common goal – helping our students become the best that they can be.”
SUSTAINABILITY Stewarding resources for the future
While the University moves forward with new educational and operational programs, it plans to move closer to achieving its short- and long-term commitments to sustainability. As a signatory to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, WCU has developed a Climate Action Plan (CAP) and undertaken a number of projects to reduce its carbon footprint, particularly with regard to its physical plant. In the years ahead, the University plans to focus on other components of CAP as well. “In the case of our geothermal project, we have come a long ways in reducing our carbon emissions,” says Paul Morgan, the University’s Sustainability Coordinator.“ We’re now focusing on other components of our environmental sustainability plan, including our curriculum, possibly as part of a new general education program, transPaul Morgan, WCU Sustainability Coordinator portation, purchasing, dining services, solid waste and recycling, among others.” Morgan believes that an important factor in an educational institution’s commitment to sustainability is making sure that its members understand and incorporate sustainability into their lives. “It’s important that universities’ operations become carbon neutral,” says Morgan,” but they need to keep in mind their fundamental missions, which is education. In the case of our students, this means helping them understand what’s involved so they can apply it during their time in college and after they graduate.”
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