Wentworth Joins National Network to Equip Engineers with Entrepreneurial Mindset
Wentworth's Center for Engineering, Innovation and Sciences in Boston
Wentworth Institute of Technology, renowned for its hands-on engineering education and focus on cooperative (co-op) work experience, has announced a new partnership with the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN). This collaboration will further enhance Wentworth's mission to prepare graduates for successful careers in a rapidly evolving world, by instilling in them the essential skills and mindset of successful entrepreneurs.
KEEN is a national consortium of over 55 universities driven by the shared mission of fostering an "entrepreneurial mindset" (EM) in all undergraduate engineering students. This mindset emphasizes creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and the ability to identify and seize opportunities.
KEEN partners share best practices, develop new curricular approaches, and provide faculty development opportunities that equip them to champion this approach in their classrooms. Wentworth is also home to Accelerate, the university’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, where the community can test, learn, iterate, and build as they move their ideas forward.
“I am excited to announce that we have become the latest KEEN partner,” said Ali Khabari, dean of Wentworth’s School of Engineering. “With this partnership and Accelerate, students can bring their ideas to life, whether they’re taking a classroom project to the next level, launching new ventures, or getting their own inventions off the ground.”
Through this partnership, Wentworth students will benefit from:
Exposure to innovative teaching methods and curriculum: Wentworth faculty will gain access to KEEN's extensive resources and participate in professional development programs focused on integrating entrepreneurial thinking into their courses.
Enhanced opportunities for experiential learning: KEEN's focus on real-world projects and entrepreneurial ventures will complement Wentworth's existing co-op program, providing students with valuable hands-on experience in applying their entrepreneurial mindset to solve real-world problems.
"Wentworth’s approach to engineering education, which plans to intertwine the entrepreneurial mindset with their robust project-based learning framework, makes Wentworth a natural fit for KEEN. Their strategy to recognize and reward faculty contributions in EM demonstrates a sustainable path to EM integration,” said Dr. Ranen McLanahan, Kern program director. “Furthermore, their planned initiatives that will support faculty in developing new learning interventions reflect their commitment to educational excellence and faculty development. This resonates well with KEEN's mission of transforming engineering education. It is a pleasure to welcome them into KEEN.”