In order for companies and communities to thrive these days, they must innovate. A program in Milwaukee nurtures talent among college students with hopes of keeping them here. It’s called The Commons. On a recent Tuesday night, small groups of students are scattered throughout Ward4, the old Pritzloff warehouse just across the river from the Third Ward. As you move close to one group, you can hear them talking about developing a product to help people with anxiety. Ward4 provides the setting for innovative collaboration. This is how The Commons works. The program accepts local college students studying business, engineering, marketing and design. It puts them into groups – with mentors and g
In this month’s and other upcoming president’s columns, I’d like to share some personal stories of success stemming from our initiatives. Innovation in Milwaukee (MiKE) College students try to make the most out of their school experience, and Michael Snowden, a business major at Cardinal Stritch University, is no exception. Michael was one of ten students chosen to participate in MiKE‘s Destination Innovation program, a collaboration with Southwest Airlines and Kohl’s Department Stores. Despite never having flown before, Michael embraced this opportunity to brainstorm with fellow students on the future of customer service and then pitch his ideas to other passengers while at 35,000 feet in t
