9/30/2011
Residents of the Innovation Living-Learning Community (LLC) mingled and networked at the second annual resource fair Thursday night held on-site...
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By: Lyndsey Taylor
URBANA, Ill-(September 30, 2011) Residents of the Innovation Living-Learning Community (LLC) mingled and networked at the second annual resource fair Thursday night held on-site at Illinois Student Resident Hall (ISR).
Innovation LLC is part of the Technology Entrepreneur Center's (TEC) initiative to bring students interested in innovation and technology together. Through this living-learning community, students live together and may participate in classes, workshops and lectures to help facilitate their ideas and get them interested in entrepreneurship at an earlier age. Innovation LLC provides it’s students with resources that can allow them to make their creative and entrepreneurial dreams a reality.
The event featured 13 campus organizations for students to learn more about and to develop their venture ideas. TEC, IllinoisVENTURES, the Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Salsapreneurship were among the organizations that participated in Thursday evening's event.
The organizations spoke about their initiatives to help facilitate student ideas and to inspire them to pursue their business ventures.
Students who attended the event grubbed on complimentary appetizers, while getting the chance to meet fellow student entrepreneurs like Jonathan Naber of Illini Prosthetic Technologies.
Director of Housing Jack Collins spoke to students about the many ways in which programs like the Innovation LLC can enrich the college experience. He said blending the academic experience with a residence program to make it “seamless” is among his many goals for students.
“Don't let routines over-take you. Take the opportunity to do something new,” he said.
“Be creative in what you do. Take advantage of these experiences—it'll change your life.”
Supriya Hobbs, a resident adviser at ISR, said this year's Innovation LLC students have been “enthusiastic” and fun. “They have a lot of energy,” Hobbs said. “I have some students that are really involved, so that's nice to see,” she said.
Hobbs, a sophomore in chemical engineering, said she became an RA because of her own positive experience with a living-learning community called L.E.A.D.S. This is her first year as an Innovation LLC resident adviser.
“I want to make sure that the students are getting as much out of an LLC as possible,” Hobbs said. “It's such a fabulous resource.”
Like Hobbs, Collins said students who get involved with housing programs tend to start college with a more positive attitude.
“Students in LLC’s have a richness of experience that some others may not have,” Collins said.
Collins' advice for students at the University is go to class, meet at least one faculty member and join an organization.
Collins said the students involved in the Innovation LLC this year are a “very diverse group” and have the opportunity to be exposed to many enriching resources.
“Students at the University of Illinois are very bright, ambitious and respectful,” Collins said.
Sophomore in computer science, Jay Shah, has been involved with Innovation LLC since his freshman year. Shah said he was drawn to the program because of his interest in entrepreneurship and innovation.
“It's been a good experience. I've made a lot of friends through this LLC,” Shah said.
He said after the information session, he is very interested in many of the organizations who presented, including the Technology Entrepreneur Center.
“I really like that the Innovation LLC brings resources to us,” he said.
Janna Eaves, freshman in materials science and engineering, said this is her first year with Innovation LLC. The Rhode Island native said she joined the living-learning community to meet like-minded people and to find a sense of community on campus.
After the information session, Eaves said she is interested in applying to the Idea to Product (I2P) competition through TEC.
“I'm also happy to find out that there is fun stuff in entrepreneurship, like salsa,” she said, referring to the Salsapreneurship Club.
Eaves said when she first came to the University of Illinois, she was unsure about what she wanted to study, but that her involvement with the Innovation LLC has helped her developed new ideas.
“It's really broadened my perspective on things,” she said. “It's showed me what I can do with my life.”