Developing an Entrepreneurial Way of Thinking

April 22, 2009

From April 17 to April 19, my husband and I participated in the Fourth Annual National Policy Forum on Minority Entrepreneurship Education in Atlanta Georgia. This conference was sponsored by the Opportunity Funding Corporation and hosted by Fayetteville State University. Next year, we hope to return to the conference with an entrepreneurial team of CU students who compete in the student entrepreneurial contest.

What was most important about this conference is that it stressed the need for us to encourage entrepreneurial thinking among young people. This means to foster the creativity and the natural affinities in our young people that could lead to their recognizing and seeking opportunities in enterprises and in the corporate workforce. For HBCUs, the message was simple—we must maintain an entrepreneurial edge, so that we can produce competitive students who will interact successfully in the global marketplace. Additionally, when HBCUs are entrepreneurial, they will contribute to the regional economic development and the overall well being of their communities. At the National Policy Forum on Minority Entrepreneurship Education, I volunteered to support entrepreneurial professional development for faculty and staff at HBCUs.

The Opportunity Funding Corporation, the nonprofit organization which sponsors this national forum, has three goals:

1. To help Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) develop an entrepreneurial curriculum that prepares students to become entrepreneurs,
2. To provide dean and faculty development to help infuse entrepreneurship into the curricula, and
3. To provide a forum for presidents, faculty, and students to interact with entrepreneurs and business executives.

During the conference, students participate in an entrepreneurship competition. Students submit business plans, presentations of their products, and answer questions from judges about funding, projected revenue, and marketing for their products.

All of the 22 teams were impressive. Clark Atlanta University won the competition this year followed by the other top finalists, North Carolina Central University, Winston-Salem State University, Southern University, Delaware State University, and Fayetteville State University.

Students and administrators enjoyed the conference and the opportunity to interface with many top executives of many sponsoring companies including Wal-Mart, Raytheon, UPS, Deloitte, BET, BB&T, HP, Chick-Fil-A, MacDonald’s, Walgreens, Boeing, Georgia-Pacific, Harland-Clark, Sam’s Club, Tiffany & Co, and other companies. This year’s event also included messages for success from keynote entrepreneur and businessman, Mr. Magic Johnson, former US Olympic and NBA champion.

I look forward to working with faculty and staff at Cheyney University to inspire future entrepreneurs. This certainly fits our motto of access, opportunity, and excellence!

Michelle Howard-Vital, Ph.D.

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The Governor’s Tuition Relief Plan Springs Forth Hope

April 13, 2009

Spring is always such a beautiful time of the year. The season brings hope of new beginnings, and of course, college and university commencements.

This year, I have had the privilege of getting to know more of our students at Cheyney University. I am pleased that the faculty and staff at Cheyney University have helped to develop our graduates into conscientious, responsible, productive, and competitive citizens. As has been demonstrated in over 170 years, the contributions of our graduates to the Commonwealth and nation are more than noteworthy.

I am convinced that we are saving lives at Cheyney University, and we are directing these lives onto positive paths.

Thus, I am very hopeful about Governor Edward G. Rendell's plan to make college tuition more affordable for every Pennsylvania family. I know that many of our students work evenings and weekends to support their college education, and the average yearly income of Cheyney University students is slightly higher than $30,000 because many of our students support themselves. The only way these students can attend college is armed with scholarships, financial aid, loans, and jobs. Yet, these students do not complain; they just need for us to help them find a way.

As I understand the Tuition Relief Plan, many such students would quality for what I consider an investment into their futures and the future of the Commonwealth. Perhaps, more importantly, the thousands of students who are not able to work and use their earning for college expenses would have an opportunity for us to invest in them and an opportunity to become more resourceful and competitive wage earners for the Commonwealth by going to, and completing, college.

Looking at the faces of Cheyney University students, it is easy to see that we are indeed paying for our future by investing in these young people who want to earn a respectable place in our society and contribute to the well being of our nation. If the Tuition Relief Plan would become a reality, I envision that Cheyney University would be able to do its share in developing a competitive workforce in teaching, communications media and fine art, applied science and technology, and other areas crucial for the Commonwealth and for our nation. It is probable that our enrollment would grow from 1,500 students to 2,500 students in the first year, if students could afford to attend. This would translate into a more competitive workforce which in turn attracts more business and industry and a higher quality of life for all.

It is also my understanding that the Tuition Relief Act correlates tuition more closely with family income. However, it is probably impossible for us to know the true value a program such as the Tuition Relief Act could have on future generations of Pennsylvanians. It will feel like Spring to many families!

Michelle R. Howard-Vital, Ph.D.
President

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