Imagine U

Co-Founder, Program Designer, Creative Lead

 

Current labor markets with shortened job tenure and decreased job security pose a critical challenge for recent graduates and the colleges that educate them. The workplace demands more, but offers less in return, especially among contract creatives. Facing this shift, Imagine U set out to make radical collaboration the cornerstone of an economic and educational solution.

 

Imagine U is an intercollegiate entrepreneurship accelerator co-created by seven colleges with three community entrepreneurship support organizations. The unique integrated program between competing schools brings a Summer immersion experience to students seeking to challenge themselves, learn real world skills, expand their networks, follow their vision, and launch their business and social venture ideas. Imagine U’s inclusive and collaborative approach develops entrepreneurial confidence and talent to seed social and economic success in Memphis.The program operates as a paid internship creating a dynamic opportunity for students to learn, earn, and craft career paths that suit their strengths and individual interests.

 

Representing Memphis College of Art, I took a leadership role in co-founding Imagine U and co-developing the model, branding, marketing, recruitment, admissions, curriculum, evaluation, and program delivery. The partners included Christian Brothers University, Lemoyne-Owen College, The Visible School of Music, Memphis College of Art, Rhodes College, Southwest Tennessee Community College, and the University of Memphis, EPIcenter, StartCo, and the Crews Center for Entrepreneurship.