GEA
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[edit] Graduate Entrepreneurs Association
The mission of the Graduate Entrepreneurs Association (GEA) is to enhance the MBA experience by providing unique opportunities that prepare, inform, and excite Leeds MBA students who have an interest in entrepreneurial endeavors. The GEA is a community where students share ideas, interact closely with successful entrepreneurs, and gain exposure to a stimulating environment that encourages innovative thinking and ambitious efforts.
Our overall objectives include:
- Serving as a vehicle for students to achieve a high level of ownership and involvement in the Leeds/Boulder entrepreneurial ecosystem throughout their MBA experience and beyond.
- Providing opportunities for students to connect with one another and build upon each other’s enthusiasm and desire to do something great.
- Energizing students and faculty, and thus facilitating the growth of entrepreneurial ventures from the academic foundation provided at the Leeds School of Business.
- Creating awareness about entrepreneurial practices and the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship among the entire MBA student body.
[edit] Entrepreneurship Retreat
First year MBA’s are invited and encouraged to attend this annual weekend retreat, held at a nearby mountain resort early in the fall semester. The purpose of this event is to initiate and inspire fresh ideas by introducing students to an amazing network of local entrepreneurs and business leaders. This is an opportunity not to be missed! It is a great way to acquaint oneself with classmates and members of the Boulder business community in a fun and casual setting while gaining invaluable lessons and building lasting relationships.
[edit] Learn from the Best
The Learn from the Best Speaker Series features a wide variety of outstanding leaders and entrepreneurs from the local and national business community. Highly respected Individuals and panels visit campus for intimate discussions and presentations with entrepreneurially-minded MBA students.
This is an integral part of the entrepreneurship curriculum, designed to complement the many entrepreneurship-focused courses by offering tangible, real world input from people who have “been there before.”
The series is sponsored by the GEA and the Robert H. and Beverly A. Deming Center for Entrepreneurship.
[edit] Ideation Sessions
Ideation Sessions are intended to help spark the creative side of students interested in entrepreneurship. These sessions are an opportunity for students to listen to outside community members', fellow students', and current entrepreneurs' company pitches. The purpose is to help stimulate thought and action for students that are enrolling the Feasibility (or Entrepreneurial Environments) course in the Spring semester. Outside speakers and guided discussion will help spark imaginations and provide experienced guidance in identifying "pains."
These sessions typically take place during the Fall semester and conclude at that time.
[edit] Mentorship Program
Click here to proceed to the Mentoring section. Further details surrounding the mentorship program are available, including the student handbook.
[edit] Membership Requirements
What does it mean to be in the GEA? We are focused on community outreach, so being an active member is critical to getting the most out of the GEA and Leeds experience. Active members are those that regularly attend events hosted or sponsored by the GEA, and actively seek involvement with opportunities outside of the academic setting to share with rest of the members. The GEA requires volunteering for at least one event sponsored or supported by the GEA during the school year. Such events include New Venture Challenges, Learn from the Best, speaker series, etc.
[edit] Officer Responsibilities
Every year elections are held in the spring to identify the next GEA president. His/her responsibilities include identifying/recruiting officers for the GEA; communicating with the CU Entrepreneurial Alumni Group; coordinating all events related to the GEA; and communicating with the Deming Center staff for funding, scheduling, sponsorships, etc.
More specifically, the president is responsible as the liaison between the GEA, Deming Center staff, and Deming Center Board. Attendance at the Deming Board meetings is necessary to establish a student presence. The president is liable for submitting advance notification of events (number, scope, and size), budgets, and estimates by vending parties to the Deming Center staff within a reasonable time frame prior to execution of the event.
In order to support our efforts and minimize costs related to running the GEA, the officers, in coordination with the Deming Center, should actively seek sponsorships for the events.
The officers should work as a group, first communicating with the previous year's officers to help pass the torch effectively. Secondly, they should divide responsibilities. One person heads the Mentorship Program, another the Ideation Sessions, etc. The Retreat should be tended to collectively, since it is the largest effort to undertake. The president should work with Deming and Leeds staff to identify a suitable date, then book the location for the early fall. The team should coordinate efforts to fill the panels with engaging speakers as they see fit.
Other events throughout the year should be treated similarly. The president should act as a liaison with the MBAA, Deming Center Board, and Deming Center Staff. It is his/her job to ensure that BlackBoard is being updated and events are being carried out, per the signed Memorandum of Understanding set forth in the summer of the prior school year with the Deming Center Staff and the officers of the GEA.
It is crucial that these administrative tasks begin as soon as the Spring semester concludes; the summer is a perfect time for organization and planning for the upcoming year's events. It is also necessary for the GEA to make an effective presentation during the orientation week.
The GEA President, following the tenure of the office during his/her second year, contributes to GEA Alumni functions by helping orchestrate and lead the CU LEADS group.
