‘Time for New Ideas’ Discussion to Explore Post-Pandemic Innovation and Entrepreneurship

March 15, 2021 | by the Office of Marketing and Communications

Innovation has been the watchword of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the start of the pandemic, innovation was a necessity as the world sought new ways of working, learning, and simply living daily life. Innovation later led to the record-setting development of COVID-19 vaccines, as well as the means to mass produce and administer them.

Now, as the pandemic shows signs of subsiding and we all prepare for a new normal, innovation offers the key to potentially emerging from the pandemic in a position of strength, ready to advance in new directions.

In recent years, Elmhurst University has launched a number of new academic programs, projects and partnerships to support innovation and entrepreneurship on campus. According to U.S. News & World Report, Elmhurst University ranks third among the Most Innovative Schools in the Midwest.

On Wednesday, April 7, the Elmhurst U. Office of Admission will host “Time for New Ideas,” an online panel discussion about the urgent need for innovation and entrepreneurship in the post-pandemic era. The panelists will discuss:

  • The entrepreneurial mindset
  • The role of creativity in innovation
  • Trends in entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship (innovation within an existing organization)
  • Startup funding and resources
  • Elmhurst University’s new Graduate Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The panelists include:

  • Bruce Fischer, professor in the Department of Business & Economics, and director of the Master of Project Management Program and the new Graduate Certificate Program in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Elmhurst
  • Travis Linderman, managing director of Innovation DuPage, partner at Exascale Ventures, and previous director of three venture incubators
  • Soni Simpson, associate professor of business administration at Elmhurst U., and a consultant and high-performance trainer in brand strategy, innovation and change leadership
  • Patrick Yanahan, ’94, MBA ’10, entrepreneur in residence for the Weigand Center for Professional Excellence at Elmhurst U., and president of USA Strategies, a business marketing firm serving clients from startups to Fortune 500 companies

The moderator is Tim Panfil, senior director of graduate admission and enrollment management at Elmhurst U.

“Time for New Ideas” begins at 6:30 p.m. CST on Wednesday, April 7, in a virtual format. The event is free but registration is required. For questions, contact the Office of Admission at (630) 617-3400 or email admit@elmhurst.edu.

This event is sponsored by the new Graduate Certificate program in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Elmhurst University. The program can help students jump-start a startup, bring new ventures to existing organizations, and better leverage ideas in today’s dynamic economy. The part-time program is accepting students for the fall of 2021 and can be completed on campus or online in one year.

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