Winter Spring 2018 Edition NACCE_WinterSpring_2018_NonMember | Page 7

Question 3: What resources do you need to be successful in growing e-ship at your institution? Key challenges identified: • shortage of funding • lack of cross campus buy-in and communication • shortage of partners from on and off-campus • too much theory and not enough “how to” • not enough student input Potential solutions: • financial support • networks/connections • searchable online tools Prototypes included groups focused on online resources through NACCE. Question 4: How does NACCE best communicate/engage members across the NACCE community? Key challenges identified: • lack of an initial “hook” • lack of concise communications • a need for more clear and useful data • a need for a think tank culture for problem solving • not enough time due to steep learning curve for new members • too many websites and sources to follow “Entrepreneurship education is evolving and continues to advance every year,” observed Mittan. “It can be difficult for community colleges to stay up to date with all that’s happening. This challenge, plus the need for continuity when a president or entrepreneurial champion leaves the college, often results in a leadership gap. This is why it’s so important to have more than one person waving the flag.” Potential solutions: • more in-person communication • hard data that makes the case for e-ship, particularly related to economic impact and ripple effect • better capture of member intellectual capital • more “push” messaging with bullet points and strategic distribution for messaging • marketing strategy focused on data-driven value and impact of e-ship regionally Prototypes included an increase in top down buy-in, i.e., presidents signing the PFEP and backing it up with dedicated resources and increased buy-in bottom up with faculty and staff. Creating marketing messages with data-driven impact of e-ship regionally, customized to each member college and ecosystem (including the ripple effect) were also cited, as well as push notifications of talking points and opportunities for members and building a distribution network of influencers. Metatags were also suggested to make information more searchable. Leading Innovation Bearing down on these and other questions with board members and presidents, Rebecca Corbin explored the areas of future growth. Among the challenges cited by these groups were the disparities between philanthropic support for community colleges (community colleges receive approximately 14 percent of the $60 billion annually awarded to institutions of higher learning). Participants also cited the problem of donors “topping out,” a lack of human and physical resources for fundraising, and foundation funding that is restricted for specific projects and (with anticipated) results. Key challenges included: • burn out • lack of focus • a need for new ideas • increased pressures • a need for new skill sets Potential solutions: • a new model • better data • improved alignment to strategic priorities • better training • improved integration of goals throughout the college • ability to showcase results/value Prototypes ranged from students, faculty and administrators showcasing more about what they are d oing, to identifying other non-foundation support. Also mentioned were more follow-up and “celebrating” of entrepreneurial successes; identifying new fundraising models, re-educating leadership; determining what donors value through focus groups; and finding ways to maximize asset management and ROI. “One of the college presidents had stated at a recent board retreat how small changes can have a big impact and that shooting for the moon was a good goal for an entrepreneurial college,” observed Corbin. “This is the kind of thinking that ignites innovation.” As NACCE explores its future direction, it will need a clearer picture of how to meet member needs and help colleges further their ecosystems on many levels, including leadership, tools, ecosystem infrastructure and internal and external support, observed Corbin. “NACCE as an organization has built a reputation for innovation and entrepreneurial leadership, and in that vein, we will continue to seek solutions by looking at our challenges in novel and compelling ways. That is our new entrepreneurship agenda.” ● Contact: [email protected] “No matter where you are in your leadership journey, never forget that what got you to where you are won’t get you the next level.” JOHN MAXWELL National Association For Community College Entrepreneurship • nacce.com 7