Winter Spring 2018 Edition NACCE_WinterSpring_2018_NonMember | Page 8
SPARKING ENTREPRENEURIAL THOUGHT
Entrepreneurs Thrive in
Campus Neighborhood
By Linda Fausel, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I
n a historic Milwaukee neighborhood, inside a turn-of-the-century
former factory, ideas – not circuit breakers – are being produced. Here,
students build knowledge and share information while completing
the entrepreneurship program at Milwaukee Area Technical College’s
(MATC) Education Center. “We are becoming known as the place to
get things done,” said Armen Hadjinian, the program coordinator and
instructor.
MATC’s entrepreneurship program is one of the first offered in
Wisconsin. It began in 2012 and since then, 90 to 120 students have
enrolled each semester. The 30-credit, two-semester technical diploma
and six-credit certificate programs are offered in person and online.
Classes include strategic business communication, new product
development, managerial accounting, personal finance and more. “As an
entrepreneur, finance is more than issuing stocks and bonds,” Hadjinian
said. “You have to know how to handle your own money.”
Makerspace with Built-in Teachers
In October, MATC’s Education Center will open the doors to its first
makerspace. While many makerspaces have strict admission policies
and follow a do-it-yourself model, MATC’s will not charge students
admission or require membership. Only non-students will likely pay a
nominal fee, and the charge will include access to equipment mentors.
“People with knowledge and experience are here to help,” Hadjinian said.
“Our instructors will answer questions and show you how to use the
equipment.”
Student Brenda Byrd designed a device to help her get to a standing
Jim Schiller, a retired insurance and investments agent (left)
and Armen Hadjinian, his entrepreneurship instructor,
review coursework at the MATC Education Center.
position after a hip replacement. Aimee Hubiak, a MATC mechanical
technology instructor, initially met with Byrd to talk about the
possibilities. “We discussed ways her design could be modeled in a
CAD (computer-aided design) package,” Hubiak said. Byrd is currently
applying for a patent. “This program puts you with other inventors,” said
Byrd. “It gives you the opportunity to work with people as creative as you
are.”
Hubiak feels the entrepreneurship program is important because it
helps people realize they don’t have to wait for other people or companies
to create new products. “With an idea and some support to develop it,
anyone can solve a problem,” Hubiak said.
Faculty, Community Support
James Schiller is a retired insurance and investment agent, trainer
and consultant. As a small-business owner, Schiller wanted to expand
his knowledge and perhaps start a new business, so he enrolled in an
entrepreneurship class. “When you retire in your 60s, you may have
25 or 30 years to fill up with interesting activities,” Schiller said. One
of his ideas is to develop a program that helps seniors find recreational
activities that fit their interests and volunteer opportunities related to
their areas of expertise.
“With an idea and some support
to develop it, anyone can
solve a problem.”
Schiller enjoys the course and Hadjinian’s teaching methods.
“Hadjinian uses a guidance-and-coaching method, rather than a lecture
format, and welcomes discussions and brainstorming. He is known for his
open-door office hours,” Schiller said.
Jasmine Hernandez, community president of WaterStone Bank
in Milwaukee, is an MATC graduate who serves on the college’s
Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee. “This program is making a
positive impact in the community,” Hernandez said. “In my banking role,
I have met with numerous startup business owners. They need direction.
MATC’s program is tailored around these individuals – it provides
knowledge and resources.” ●
Contact: [email protected]
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Community College Entrepreneurship • Winter/Spring 2018