Engineering Entrepreneurship Summer Institute

Program
Degree Type
Minor

Minor Director: Lauri Olivier, Ph.D., MBA
Office Location: 250H Drosdick Hall
Telephone: (610) 519-7373
Email: lauri.olivier@villanova.edu

About:

8 Weeks, 16 Credits, One Minor

The mission of the Engineering Entrepreneurship program is to cultivate a diverse community of forward-thinking individuals ready to drive transformative change. Villanova's Engineering Entrepreneurship Summer Institute (E2SI) Abroad is open to all Villanova university students from all academic backgrounds. This immersive sixteen credit hour minor blends entrepreneurial spirit with product innovation principles, fostering collaboration across disciplines. Through E2SI Abroad, our immersive summer institute, we inspire the next generation of global leaders.

Why Engineering Entrepreneurship?

Entrepreneurial Skills Matter in Every Career: The need for entrepreneurial skills is much broader than the focus on starting a new enterprise. Employers value self-starters who take initiative, show persistence and demonstrate leadership. These entrepreneurial competencies are invaluable in any career and differentiate students from the competition.

Program Competencies Highlights:
• Disruptive Innovation: Navigate Industry 4.0 technologies and spot emerging market opportunities
• Strategic Problem-Solving: Transform global challenges into viable business solutions
• Business Validation: Master data-driven methods to evaluate and strengthen venture concepts
• Global Leadership: Excel in cross-cultural communication and international collaboration
• Value Creation: Drive customer engagement and deliver measurable business impact
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Blend business, finance, and marketing insights to think like an innovator
• International Engagement: Develop international business experience

Required Courses:

The curriculum in E2SI has been designed to create a unified, immersive experience for cohorts of students, so the program must be completed in a single summer (courses cannot be taken individually). Through our innovative hybrid format that combines 5 weeks of virtual learning and 3 weeks in an international setting, students earn a minor while gaining global entrepreneurship experience.

Course
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
16

A Complete Application to E2SI:

E2SI is open to any current Villanova student in good standing. External candidates are also welcome to apply. E2SI 2025 Abroad will visit Panama.

To apply, visit the Office of Education Abroad (OEA) and find Engineering Entrepreneurship Summer Institute Panama under the summer programs. The application process includes submitting the application on the OEA website and completing a short interview with the program director. Upon application submission, you will receive an email to set up the interview.