BOCA RATON, Fla., Oct. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- Lynn University and
Watson Institute have partnered to educate the next generation of
innovators, visionaries and social entrepreneurs. With this new
initiative, the organizations have created, for the first time
ever, a program that allows students to earn a Bachelor of Science
in social entrepreneurship for building a venture
"This is the first degree-bearing incubator for the world's most
promising next generation social entrepreneurs," said Watson Chief
Executive Officer and Founder Eric
Glustrom. "Selected students can choose to have the full
college experience on Lynn's campus in Boca Raton, Florida, or join Watson at
Chautauqua Park in Boulder,
Colorado. Both offer the same intensive mentorship and
workshops led by leading entrepreneurs."
The degree in social entrepreneurship combines Watson's highly
selective program, which has an acceptance rate of 15 percent and
consists of cohorts with an average of 25 students, with Lynn's
nationally-recognized core curriculum. Students receive seed
funding, intensive mentorship and award-winning training in
ideation, rapid prototyping, fundraising, leadership and
management, team building and more. Top mentors and entrepreneurs
coach participants in their social venture, passions and personal
objectives in the Watson Lab and via Master Courses.
"This is a unique partnership that allows us to formally express
our desire to make an impact beyond our campus—something that's
always been in our DNA," said Lynn President Kevin M. Ross. "With
Watson's remarkable program and network, we can further give
students the skills they need to make a difference in the world.
And that's only the beginning."
Lynn announced late last year that it will launch a Social
Impact Lab in its future Christine E. Lynn University Center, a
three-story student union that will open in 2018. The lab will
include robust offerings in experiential learning and social
innovation.
Watson first aligned with Lynn in October
2014. Participants in Watson's program could elevate their
experience by completing Lynn's Dialogues core curriculum online to
earn an undergraduate degree. Tessa
Zimmerman '16 was the first graduate of the program.
Zimmerman developed ASSET Education, which helps high school
students overcome anxiety and succeed academically. She was
motivated by her own experience coping with severe anxiety in
school and has seen quick success. ASSET currently services 1,600
students and has trained 35 teachers from 12 different schools in
Denver, Colorado, and Harlem,
New York.
"The combination of Watson and Lynn is powerful," she said. "You
get to experience an established network of Lynn alumni and faculty
paired with a newer school style that's helping higher education
open more doors for young entrepreneurs."
Lynn alumnus and Watson Institute at Lynn
University President Andrew
Lippi '13, '14 will lead program recruitment and operations
in South Florida.
About Watson Institute
Watson Institute is a new
model of higher education tailored for next generation innovators,
leaders and social entrepreneurs. A select group of students who
want to solve significant social, economic, and environmental
challenges can gain award-winning training, receive intensive
mentorship, develop a powerful community of peers and compete for a
pool of seed funding. Watson has graduated 91 alumni from 36
countries, who have raised over $13.5
million and impacted tens of thousands of people around the
world through their ventures. For more information about the
program, visit watson.lynn.edu.
About Lynn University
Lynn University is an independent
college based in Boca Raton,
Florida, with approximately 3,000 students from 100
countries. U.S. News & World Report ranks
Lynn as the top international university in the region. Lynn's
NCAA Division II Fighting Knights have won 23 national titles, its
Conservatory of Music features a world-renowned faculty of
performers, and its nationally recognized Institute for Achievement
and Learning empowers students with learning differences. The
school's Dialogues curriculum and award-winning iPad program help
Lynn graduates gain the intellectual flexibility and global
experience to fulfill their potential in an ever-changing world.
For more information, visit lynn.edu.
Media Contact
Jamie D'Aria
Public Relations Manager
+1 561-237-7629
jdaria@lynn.edu
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SOURCE Lynn University