Grad student accepted to social innovation session

Radford University graduate student Christina Weyant has been accepted to the Social Innovation Program (SIP), which aims to successfully apply entrepreneurial approaches to social causes in the nonprofit, public and private sectors.

Operated by the nonprofit Mason Center for Social Entrepreneurship in Fairfax, SIP begins in mid-June and for five weeks trains participants to be social entrepreneurs. Participants attend classes taught by 30 guest faculty members and are mentored by experienced social entrepreneurs. They complete 15 consulting projects for local organizations and launch five "lean startup" business plans.

Weyant, a first-year graduate student in the Corporate and Professional Communication program, said she views her upcoming SIP participation as an opportunity to gain internship experience with multiple organizations. "I hope to learn more about 'lean startup' business plans and find out how social entrepreneurship looks, feels and operates behind the scenes," the Whittier, Calif., native said.

Now in its eighth year, the Social Innovative Program accepts only 25 undergraduate and graduate students nationwide for the summer institute.

Weyant, who has experience working with organized summer camps, said while at SIP she plans to "pitch a business plan that is focused on both an enriching summer camp experience and green technology."

Mar 5, 2013
Chad Osborne
(540) 831-7761
caosborne@radford.edu