CUNY Master Plan 2012-2016

MISSION PART FOUR
• Written and oral communication skills; that is, the ability to effectively articulate and present ideas
• Analytical skills, namely the ability to arrange, understand, assess, and interpret increasing amounts
of data
• Business process skills, including project management, process management, and client
management
• Learning agility and flexibility, such as the ability to change course and learn on the job
• Cultural competence, namely the ability to serve a diverse customer base in the United States and
abroad
• Previous exposure to work
The Task Force presented a range of recommendations, both those specific to certain industries and
the following broad recommendations, to CUNY colleges and other institutions of higher education:
• Build deeper and more meaningful relationships with industry, including finding ways to invite and
use industry input, from student internships to faculty/staff site swapping, and make it easier for
industry to access CUNY;
• Provide career guidance by assisting students in exploring their interests and aptitudes, as well as
career pathways, and by providing job search skills training;
• Facilitate work experience before graduation by arranging internships and summer employment
opportunities; and
• Simulate workplace conditions that will help students acquire business skills.
The immediate next step of the Task Force will be to gather comprehensive information about existing
activities and practices at the CUNY colleges.
Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
As noted earlier in this plan, during the Decade of Science CUNY has built significant capacity in
research, especially in science and engineering, positioning the University as a major regional resource
for economic development. During the period of this Master Plan, the University will expand on its burgeoning
entrepreneurialism and increasing number of collaborations with business and industry
through the establishment of a CUNY Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The University has
received $2 million in capital funds from the New York City Council for this initiative.
This center will encourage the development and commercialization of novel and cutting-edge
research. It will fast-track new technologies from the laboratory into the marketplace. Training will be
provided to assist faculty inventors in a variety of areas including developing business plans, performing
market research, launching spinoff companies, and applying for Small Business Innovation Research and
Small Business Technology Transfer grants.
The entire University will benefit from a flourishing culture of entrepreneurship. Faculty involvement
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