By Cal Lutheran NewsHuddled in small groups in a Swenson Center for Social and Behavioral Sciences classroom, young business minds worked together devising a customer base and value proposition for their burgeoning enterprises. As they brainstormed the target audience and market need for their ideas, the teams also had to follow surprising constraints: for instance, one group could not charge more than $5 for their products, while another had to operate entirely outdoors year-round.
The aspiring entrepreneurs were current high school students participating in the first Discover Cal Lutheran event, a free academic exploration series for prospective students and their families to examine various disciplines on the California Lutheran University campus. Students complete a college-level workshop course with a faculty member who models the critical inquiry done by current students. Meanwhile, parents can connect with admissions representatives and participate in a discussion with Cal Lutheran faculty.
The first event centered on business and entrepreneurship brought students from as far as Irvine to campus to explore the university beyond a traditional campus tour.
“By engaging directly with faculty, exploring an academic area in a hands-on way and learning alongside their families, students can better picture what their educational experience at Cal Lutheran could actually look and feel like,” Marketing Outreach Manager Nadia Hefni Foster said.
Prospective students met with Tracy Nickl, assistant professor in the School of Management, who guided them in generating business ideas with their specific constraints in mind. The teams shared business plans for sports training and 3D educational puzzle products that appeal to multiple target audiences ranging from youth to their parents. Nickl was impressed with both business ideas and invited the attendees to compete in Cal Lutheran’s New Venture Fair, where students showcase innovative startup projects.
The hands-on activity offered the group a glimpse of how Cal Lutheran business students learn to tackle real-life problems, using creativity to develop solutions and make decisions. Afterward, students said the experience built their confidence about succeeding in college-level academics and was valuable for pursuing future business goals.
Organizers like Foster hope that the immersive event format demonstrates the strong personal connection that comes with a Cal Lutheran education.
“I hope students came away excited about their own possibilities here, while their families gained confidence that Cal Lutheran is a place where their students would be known, supported and encouraged to grow,” she said.
Join Upcoming Discover Cal Lutheran Events
The series continues this fall with events exploring the humanities and natural sciences. On Oct. 20, Brandy Yee, assistant provost for innovation and assistant professor of liberal studies in education, will lead an activity modeling how constructive dialogue and critical inquiry help students explore ideas more deeply.
On Nov. 3, Travis Peterson, associate professor of exercise science, will walk through the cutting-edge innovations happening at Cal Lutheran’s Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology Ergometer Teaching Labs. All prospective students and their families are invited to register for the upcoming sessions.
Visit the Discover Cal Lutheran page to learn more about the upcoming events.
