York College cultivates entrepreneurial mindset on campus, in community

Whether it is fostering student-led ventures in the classroom, encouraging scholars to contribute to the community, or helping a local entrepreneur tap into resources, York College of Pennsylvania is a strong believer in the entrepreneurial mindset.

Those who go into the world thinking like an entrepreneur will question the way things have always been done, they’ll look for solutions, and they’ll work hard to execute new initiatives.

Supporting that way of thinking is York College’s way of cultivating the entrepreneurial mindset both on campus and in the community.

That spirit can be felt in the J.D. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship, where businesses incubate their ideas and tap into the resources of knowledgeable faculty and student interns.

It can be seen in the Graham Scholars out of the Center for Community Engagement. These students embark on empathy-driven research to find solutions for area nonprofits, startups, and other community initiatives.

That culture of entrepreneurship can also be seen in things to come, such as York College’s Knowledge Park, where an old paper mill is being transformed into a hub for innovation and collaboration.

“It is absolutely vital to create an environment where entrepreneurship is supported, nurtured, celebrated, and encouraged,” says Oscar Winters, Associate Director the J.D. Brown Center. “Entrepreneurs take considerable risk all while employing our neighbors, volunteering within the community, and providing valuable services. They deserve to be celebrated.”

While larger corporations change ownership or leave the area, it’s the entrepreneurs in our community who step up to fill the gaps in lost wages and job opportunities, Winters adds.

But there are also entrepreneurs who need the resources to troubleshoot their ideas, launch their venture, and overcome the growing pains that follow. Providing those resources ensures their long-term success.

“There are many of us in this space, supporting entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship,” Winters says. “But none of us are truly celebrating the people and businesses who have made it. There are lessons to be learned from them. They can be sources of inspiration for folks who have been noodling on an idea but haven’t had the push needed to get it started.”