$207,000 GRANT FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP CENTER

Date:Tuesday, December 16, 2008

MILLERSVILLE, Pa., —The Civic and Community Engagement & Research Project (CCERP) of Millersville University has received a grant to establish the Entrepreneurial Leadership Center (ELC) to sponsor “Infusing Entrepreneurial Thinking throughout the Campus and Community.” The $207,000 grant comes from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).

The project will run from January ‘09 to January ’12.  The primary goals of the project are: to teach entrepreneurial thinking and skills to graduate and undergraduate students; and to help enhance the economic development capacity of South Central Pennsylvania. The achievement of these goals will require the fostering and launching of “curricular transformations, and cultivation of community partnerships and collaborations.”  It is anticipated that the ELC will become a permanent fixture within CCERP’s Center for Public Impact led by Dr. John McLarnon. 

Dr. Melvin Allen, executive director of CCERP, explained that these goals are closely related, so that there will be a high degree of collaboration among their activities.  The curricular, teaching and training components for Millersville students will be headed by Dr. Jean Kabongo, business administration. It is envisioned that an entrepreneur minor, workshops and certificates may eventually be developed.  In order to enhance this region’s economic development capacity, a “boot camp” for budding entrepreneurs is planned.

CCERP focuses on coordinating civic and community engagement and research by providing opportunities for Millersville University faculty, staff and students in concert with community partners to participate in and contribute to both local and global educational, economic and social challenges.  CCERP currently operates on a regional level with connections to organizations that share some of the same concerns. 

For more information on the ELC or CCERP ( www.millersville.edu/~ccerp) contact Lori Leaman by phone at 717-872-3049 or by email at Lori.Leaman@millersville.edu.

Media Contact:
Janet Kacskos, APR
Director of Communications
Millersville University
717/872-3723 - office
717/368-2502 - cell
Janet.kacskos@millersville.edu