The purpose of the Center is to provide a new resource that teaches practical principles of entrepreneurship and innovation, thus encouraging students and community leaders to think “outside the box” and improve the quality of their lives.

The Center recently welcomed its first group of 20 high school participants. The group called themselves the “The IN Club” (IN for Innovation). They were placed into four groups where they learned to build skills that would lead them to own and operate their own businesses.

Sponsored by Ivy Tech Community College, in partnership with the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center and Workforce Development Inc., the 20 students, age 14-15, were identified according to their academic achievement and interest in learning about business. During the pilot four -week program, students completed Power Point training, as well as the “Get the Buzz on Biz” curriculum, a curriculum consisting of developing a business and creating their own marketing plan.

The workshop was the brainchild of Ivy Tech Northwest Chancellor J. Guadalupe Valtierra and John Davies, President of the Woodland Communications Group. Davies says “We need to prepare the next generation to be innovators and this is a wonderful beginning.” Davies also believes that the Center is unique because it is virtual and services the college campuses in Gary, East Chicago, Valparaiso, Michigan City and the surrounding communities.

“The excitement shown as those young students created products reinforces the promise of success of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center” said Chancellor Valtierra.

Students also enjoyed several field trips in order to learn about new innovative advances in business and technology. The trips included Mittal Steel (formerly Inland Steel), where they visited the research and development center; Ivy Tech Culinary Department, where they conceptualized and prepared their own pizzas and received taste tests from Ivy Tech’s Chancellor and staff members; and Quick Draw Productions Recording Studio, in Gary, IN where they learned from the young CEO’s how to write and record music. In preparation of closing events, each group was asked to compose their own lyrics to a song about their business and record it at the studio for presentation at the closing ceremony of the program. Students were also invited to take the Microsoft Specialist Power Point Certification Exam.

At the final ceremony/luncheon students beamed with pride as the five-judge panel, comprised of community business leaders, critiqued their Power Point presentations, thorough analysis of their business plan and overall professionalism.

The Center has adopted as its logo the South Shore painting “Where Dreams Take Flight” by renowned artist John Rush. As the program ignites creative aspirations and dreams in its students through learned entrepreneurial skills, the logo seeks to reinforce the idea that dreams and potential have the ability to become a reality.

Victoria Voller, newly appointed director of the center says “The innovation and entrepreneurship center is a platform for fresh ideas, change and a renewed energy and perspective for the region. The creation of this center, as part of the community college, gives our student, faculty, staff and the community a chance to share ideas and embrace broader thinking with the intention of adding a new and different kind of fuel to this region’s economic engine.” In her new role, Ms. Voller’s primary responsibility is to create and direct community education workshops, seminars and conferences while engaging the students and community in the process.