Creating a community of innovation: the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute

Creating a community of innovation: the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute

(Courtesy of the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute/University of Utah)


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SALT LAKE CITY — About two years ago Liz Morales took an introductory class from Kathy Hajeb, director of the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute with the University of Utah.

Hajeb brought in guest speakers to talk about the programs available at Lassonde. As she listened to the speakers, Morales thought the programs were focused on engineering and business. A first-generation student with a passion for education, Morales wondered where she fit in.

"Being a first generation student and the first woman in my family to go to college has been a blessing and challenge," she said. "I remember when students from the University of Utah would come to the high school… they would talk about how the university was great, ACT scores… and I felt I wasn't close to getting in."

Scott Paul, founder of Armor Active. (Courtesy of the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute/University of Utah)
Scott Paul, founder of Armor Active. (Courtesy of the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute/University of Utah)

Working with Hajeb and others at Lassonde, Morales developed their ambassador program. The ambassadors are in their second year and have visited over 50 classrooms to talk not only about the University of Utah, but FAFSA, applying for college and more.

Morales is one of many stories that have come out of the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute, a program serving students at the U. with the Eccless school of business as its academic home. Currently, Lassonde is growing and embarking on a new program: a $45 million innovative new building that will combine residences with a 20,000 square foot creating and making workshop. The building, which will house 400 student entrepreneurs, will open fall 2016.

Lassonde is getting national attention with their future facility. Hajeb said that "as we were looking at how to design this building, we couldn't find any models." Although the facility has residential spaces, all students on campus are welcome to utilize the work space and attend programs. Hajeb said the new building "works with senior projects, other disciplines and more."

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Lassonde aims to help bring ideas to fruition as well as inspire a problem-solving and entrepreneurial spirit. Hajeb gave the example of a freshman student who came to the university as a competitive swimmer, but didn't make the swim team in college.

Despite not being part of the team, swimming remained his passion and he wanted to bring that passion and community to other students. He created a regional, competitive club swim team for others as well as himself. Lassonde was able to help provide the tools for him, and Morales, to move their ideas forward.

Other tools Lassonde provides are mentors, like the ambassador program, but also free workshops and classes. One such workshop, "Hours with Experts," is where community leaders can volunteer and provide one-on-one meetings with student inventors. Lassonde also facilitates and hosts "Meet Ups" where students can meet together on their favorite subjects, idea or no idea.

Alex Carr, founder of Char Poles. (Courtesy of the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute/University of Utah)
Alex Carr, founder of Char Poles. (Courtesy of the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute/University of Utah)

Anne Bastien, a program manager at Lassonde, said they are working very hard to recruit not only those with top academic scores, but diverse personalities and people. She said Lassonde sees diversity as a strength in entrepreneurship and problem-solving.

Hajeb encourages all students to look at the work at Lassonde as a "call to action" and said to "think about the problems you want to solve and master your entrepreneurial mindset. It will make you a better student and employee."

Morales said she never thought of herself as an entrepreneur or innovator until Lassonde.

"When people think entrepreneur, they think business, but as an education major Lasssonde provided me with a new mindset… that I can build something," she said.

Lassonde is currently recruiting for slots for it's new building in fall 2016. Applications are due by December 31st. Those who want to apply, or learn more about the programs offered, can visit the institute's website.


Carrie Rogers-Whitehead considers herself an entrepreneur as well as many other things. She can be reached at rogers-whitehead@hotmail.com

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