Goshen College offers new options for students to broaden their education;

Entrepreneurship and social policy minors added to academic curriculum

GOSHEN, Ind. – Knowing that college graduates are entering an increasingly competitive job market, Goshen College is offering its students more opportunities to further focus their education in order to be prepared for an even broader range of prospective employers. Starting in the 2005-06 school year, students will have, for the first time, the opportunity to minor in both entrepreneurship and social policy.

The goal of the entrepreneurship minor, which is based in the business department, is to equip students with business basics necessary for any venture. Melissa Kinsey, director of the Entrepreneurship Learning Center and associate professor of business, is excited about the opportunities available for students through this program – particularly for nonbusiness majors – as the minor will teach students basic skills needed for running or helping to operate a business or nonprofit organization.

Students will learn how to make a business plan, handle negotiations and be aware of the legal aspects of owning or operating a business. Kinsey said the entrepreneurship minor is a valuable tool for students in all academic disciplines, whose career may intersect with the business world. “Everyone needs a basic understanding of how business works, whether it’s understanding how to get financing, working with a board of directors or motivating volunteers,” she said.

Core courses in the program will cover topics such as entrepreneurship finance, venture planning and principles of management or principles of marketing, along with several elective classes in business and economics.

Students will also be encouraged to develop relationships with area businesses through internships and other interactions. “We’re trying to get the area business community involved in what we’re doing at Goshen College, as well as getting our students involved in the business community,” said Kinsey.

The social policy minor will be a collaborative, cross-disciplinary program aimed at students who want to work for social change within the public sector or nonprofit organizations. Through this program, students will develop understanding of policy making processes, community organizing and social advocacy in relation to their specific area of academic interest as well as some of the specific skills necessary for this work.

Creating this academic program minor began at the initiative of Ron Stutzman, Goshen College professor of sociology and anthropology, who passed away in October 2003. Although his original idea was called a public policy minor, Stutzman’s idea was turned into reality by the collaboration of individuals from several different departments, including Robert Birkey, professor of social work; Joe Liechty, associate professor of peace, justice and conflict studies; and Jan Bender Shetler, associate professor of history.

The social policy minor is housed in the sociology, social work and anthropology department, but is an interdisciplinary endeavor that is flexible in allowing each student to personalize the minor according to his or her specific interests and goals. Combined with a social policy internship, students pick two courses from a list of core courses and three courses from a list of skills and methodology courses.

“While it is not specifically a skills development curriculum, we hope the minor will give graduates an edge in job situations where knowledge of social policy issues and processes are needed,” said Birkey.

- Jennifer Rupp

Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” Kaplan’s “Most Interesting Colleges” guide and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

Editors: For more information, contact News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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