During my time at the University of Oregon, I have been greatly impressed by our students’ ability to apply innovative solutions to our community’s most pressing needs. From highly active student organizations to meaningful faculty spinouts, the University of Oregon is home to a prolific hub of problem-solvers. While there is no lack of creativity and innovation on campus, the concept of entrepreneurship has become an isolated term that typically only resonates with individuals in our campus’ business-related programs. Historically, the term entrepreneurship has exclusively carried connotations of innovative and forward-thinking individuals in the business world, excluding the equally creative and meaningful work that stems from individuals in the social sciences.

As innovative minds within the social sciences continue to build thoughtful solutions to problems on both the local and global levels, the term civic entrepreneurship has garnered a great deal of support. Used to describe individuals that utilize the power of creativity, innovation, and community support in problem-solving, civic entrepreneurs play an essential role in tackling social problems. Our campus is bustling with civic entrepreneurs — from students utilizing community service grants such as the ones provided by the Holden Center  to ASUO-funded student organizations targeting issues specifically in the Eugene area, our campus environment would not be the same without civic entrepreneurs. Unlike entrepreneurial thinkers that primarily function within the business world, civic entrepreneurs are met with a series of challenges that can often inhibit their ability to reach their full creative potential. A lack of resources encouraging civic entrepreneurship prevents students within the social sciences with new ideas from taking the steps to bringing their visions to fruition.

As a Political Science and Sociology major who has spent a significant amount of time building projects and participating in civic entrepreneurship, I am planning on utilizing my role as a Provost Innovation Fellow to strengthen the connection between creative and innovative students within the social sciences and resources that are tailored towards civic entrepreneurship. By working to cultivate an environment that is actively seeking to include an interdisciplinary perspective, we can continue to strengthen our campus’ entrepreneurial ecosystem.