Category: Honors and Leadership

Husky Connect Looking for Student Mentors at Michigan Tech

Do you know a current student who would make a great mentor? Then tell them about the Husky Connect Peer Mentorship Program!

The Husky Connect Peer Mentorship Program is looking for remarkable student mentors for the fall 2023 semester. As a mentor, we ask students to share their experiences and offer support to first-year students. Mentors will begin their training in the summer and will be paired with their mentees before they arrive on campus. This support continues throughout the fall semester and sometimes even lasts a lifetime.

Husky Connect mentors will receive compensation for their time.

Students can learn more about this peer-to-peer program and apply to be a Husky Connect mentor on our website. Applications close next Wednesday (April 12) at 5 p.m.

For more information, please contact us at huskyconnect@mtu.edu.

By Center for Diversity and Inclusion.

Applications Open: Climate Leaders Academy

Current undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in climate leadership are invited to apply to be a fellow of the Climate Leaders Academy (CLA), which is launching this summer.

CLA is a two-semester program with the goal of providing formal climate training and professional development to fellows through direct engagement with national and international climate change frameworks, formalized mentoring and collaboration with a diverse set of institutions. CLA is funded through the National Science Foundation and the YEAH network, and supported by MTU, Boston University, Vanderbilt University and Tennessee State University.

CLA-Fellows will be entitled to the following benefits:

  • $10,000 stipend ($5,000 per semester)
  • Four transferable course credits
  • All travel expenses covered (to and from kickoff workshop, climate change conferences, etc.)
  • One-on-one mentoring by a CLA faculty member
  • Tuition coverage for CLA course

Additional information and the official application can be found at the CLA Application Form. Applications are due March 15 at 11:59 p.m. CDT.

Questions can be directed to Rose Daily at roset@mtu.edu or Leah Dundon at leah.a.dundon@vanderbilt.edu.

Applications Open to Michigan Tech Students: Climate Leaders Academy

Current undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in climate leadership are invited to apply to be a fellow of the Climate Leaders Academy (CLA), which is launching this summer.

CLA is a two-semester program with the goal of providing formal climate training and professional development to fellows through direct engagement with national and international climate change frameworks, formalized mentoring and collaboration with a diverse set of institutions. CLA is funded through the National Science Foundation and the YEAH network, and supported by MTU, Boston University, Vanderbilt University and Tennessee State University.

CLA-Fellows will be entitled to the following benefits:

  • $10,000 stipend ($5,000 per semester)
  • Four transferable course credits
  • All travel expenses covered (to and from kickoff workshop, climate change conferences, etc.)
  • One-on-one mentoring by a CLA faculty member
  • Tuition coverage for CLA course

Additional information and the official application can be found at the CLA Application Form. Applications are due March 15 at 11:59 p.m. CDT.

Questions can be directed to Rose Daily at roset@mtu.edu or Leah Dundon at leah.a.dundon@vanderbilt.edu.

By Rose Daily.

CLC Fellowship Opportunity in Community Sustainability for Grad Students


On Monday (Jan. 23) from 12-1 p.m., Sarah Lee from the University of Michigan will hold a webinar about the Catalyst Leadership Circle (CLC) Fellowship.

Please join us in the Academic Office Building, AOB 201, or via Zoom.

The CLC Fellowship offers graduate students the opportunity to help local governments advance toward specific sustainability goals. The fellowship is supported by Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Catalyst Communities Program and administered by the Graham Sustainability Institute at the University of Michigan.

The Fellowship offers: 

  • $6,000 in funding 
  • $1,500 housing/travel stipend
  • Professional training
  • Experience working with a municipality 

We hope to see you there!

By Social Sciences.

NSF I-Corps Program Registration Now Open at Michigan Tech

Are you interested in taking your idea, technology or process commercial? Entrepreneurially minded faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students, alumni and local community teams are invited to attend the Great Lakes Region Hub National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps Program hosted by Husky Innovate at Michigan Tech.

Course Description
The NSF I-Corps lean startup program spans six weeks. Using the scientific process, customer discovery and the business model canvas, teams will work to validate key business hypotheses and develop a scalable business model.

Course Benefits
Upon completion of the workshop and the customer discovery interviews (30), you or your team may be eligible for a mini grant of up to $1,000 for continued customer discovery.

Teams who complete the program may become eligible for the NSF I-Corps National Team Program and a $50,000 grant. Participation in the workshop can lead to qualification for research and other funding from several granting agencies, including Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs and various state and regional programs.

Past participants have reported that they saved time and money by better understanding potential applications of their technology and improved their ability to receive add-on funding.

Our spring cohort will meet online via Zoom on the following dates:

  • Monday, Jan. 23 — Workshop No. 1: Kickoff, 4-7 p.m.
  • Monday, Jan. 30 — Workshop No. 2, 4-6 p.m.
  • Monday, Feb. 6 — No meeting, continue customer discovery, meet with your mentor
  • Monday, Feb. 13 — Workshop  No. 3, 4-6 p.m.
  • Monday, Feb. 20 — No meeting, continue customer discovery, meet with your mentor
  • Monday, Feb. 27 — Workshop No. 4: Wrap-Up, 4-7 p.m.

Register using the Spring 2023 Michigan Tech I-Corps 

By Husky Innovate, Pavlis Honors College.

Michigan Tech Innovation Week 2023 Talks and Events: Registration Is Open!

Husky Innovate is hosting five innovation-themed events during Week 2 (Jan. 17-20) of the spring semester. Innovation Week celebrates innovation and entrepreneurship by hosting speakers and events to inspire and support innovation and entrepreneurship. These events are a great way to connect with alumni, students, faculty and the community.

Check the Innovation Week webpage for full event descriptions. Pre-registration is required for each event. Join us for one event or several!

  • Keynote Speaker: Leading Innovation with Charles Nwatu
    Tuesday, Jan. 17, 4-5 p.m. via Zoom
    Our keynote speaker, Charles Nwatu, head of security technology assurance and risk at Netflix, will kick off Innovation Week by discussing how diverse perspectives lead to innovation. He will share his journey as an intrapreneur developing innovative solutions within a company, and how his mindset has led to an impactful Silicon Valley career at LinkedIn, Twilio, Stitch Fix and now Netflix. 
    Register now — Deadline: Jan. 13
  • New Venture Creation with Eric Roberts
    Wednesday, Jan. 18, noon to 1 p.m., MUB Ballroom A 
    Eric Roberts, MTU alum and executive director of Traverse City business incubator 20Fathoms, has spent a long, diverse career innovating in spaces from Silicon Valley tech start-ups to mobile giants like Motorola and Blackberry. He will talk entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship, and share experiences with launching new ventures (both successful and unsuccessful). Tips and strategies will be offered for all types of innovators. 
    Register now — Deadline: Jan. 15
  • Reverse Pitch Presentation with Nate Yenor
    Thursday, Jan. 19, noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom 
    Nate Yenor, director of tech business incubation with the Office of Innovation and Commercialization at Michigan Tech, will report on applied research’s top teams poised to launch their innovation into a start-up. Teams may be looking for talent, champions and industry-specific advice during this reverse-pitch event. Interesting and valuable for innovators, entrepreneurs and MTU community members who want to know what’s new and innovative at Tech. Make connections and support our innovation and entrepreneurship community!
    Register now — Deadline: Jan. 17
  • 15th Bob Mark Business Model Pitch Competition
    Thursday, Jan. 19, 5-7:30 p.m., MUB Ballroom A 

    Michigan Tech graduate and undergraduate students will pitch their business model for a chance to win cash prizes. This legacy event is a tribute to late Professor of Practice Bob Mark. Faculty, staff, students, alumni and the community are invited to attend in person or virtually. Refreshments will be served and a pre-event mixer will begin at 4:30 p.m.
    Student contestants: Register now — Deadline: Jan. 13
    Virtual attendees: Register now to attend remotely
  • Financing Your Venture Panel Discussion
    Friday, Jan. 20, noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom
    Hear what investors look for when deciding whether to invest in your company — during both early-stage commercialization and late-stage buy-outs. Experts will share real-world experiences and insight into how investment decisions are made. This talk is helpful for anyone interested in commercializing their venture or for investors who want to hone their skills. Panelists John Rockwell (CEO and president, Accelergy Corporation) and Jeff Helminski (co-founder and managing partner, Auxo Investment Partners) are both Tech alumni and successful venture capitalists, and they 

By Husky Innovate, Pavlis Honors College.

27th Annual LeaderShape Institute at Michigan Tech

One of the Student Affairs division values states, “We inspire the leadership needed for all individuals to boldly push everyday boundaries while serving others.” For over 25 years, Michigan Tech has hosted the LeaderShape Institute as a way to do just that.

LeaderShape Institute is a four-day retreat that helps students identify their values and gain confidence in their leadership skills through self-assessment, intensive small group discussions, team building challenges and more. By leading with passion, integrity and a healthy disregard for the impossible, participants explore who they are and the impact that they want to have on their communities. LeaderShape Institute 2023 will be held Jan. 4-7 at the Ford Center in Alberta, Michigan, just prior to the start of the spring 2023 semester.

Do you know a student who is involved across campus? How about one who isn’t, but has shown you their passion for a specific cause or concern? How about someone who is still figuring out the direction they hope to pursue in life? We know leaders have a wide variety of experiences and don’t need to hold a position or a title to impact their community. No matter who they are, how they are involved on campus, or what their future goals are — this program could benefit a student you’re connected with.

Are you already thinking of someone? Invite them to apply! Applications are available online now through Nov. 14.

Are you interested in being involved in this program? Contact Student Leadership and Involvement at activities@mtu.edu to learn how you could contribute to this meaningful experience.

By Student Leadership and Involvement.