Clarkson University Master Vision

Clarkson University seized a unique opportunity to leverage its strengths in Business and Engineering to become The University that delivers an entrepreneurial education to every student. Clark | Huesemann was hired to facilitate and assist with development of this concept in both culture and in physical facilities throughout the existing campus, which occupied two separate and somewhat distinct sites within the town of Potsdam.

Strategies for infusing a culture of entrepreneurial thinking into the campus came together around the concept of “two hubs”. With one hub at each site, the newer portion of campus would be the introductory hub where students would be initially acclimated into the culture of entrepreneurship with abundant opportunities for help and advice, sharing, social settings, and transparency to encourage engagement. Introductory resources and team-based study spaces in addition to individual quiet study zones and a variety of student services and resources for support were also key elements in this hub. The second hub would be located in the original campus historic district, connected to the main campus by a network of resources and providing a bridge to the surrounding community. Envisioned as a next step, this area would contain not only ample social and collaborative workspaces but opportunities for co-working and start up incubator space, cross-pollination with community members, and resources such as maker space equipment for prototyping and production, visiting entrepreneur housing, and accelerator services.

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