Lyles Center Programs
The Lyles Center is known for delivering applied learning and managed problem solving
to everyone from elementary school students to members of the community at large.
Below are examples of the programs and services the Lyles Center offers to help entrepreneurs
succeed.
The Entrepreneurship Club
The student-run organization continues to be the official CEO chapter at Fresno State
and focuses on promoting entrepreneurship on campus and across the Central Valley.
The membership is extended to students of all majors who have an interest in entrepreneurship.
Johanson Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows
Johanson’s Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows (formerly Coleman Faculty Fellows) reside
in schools and departments throughout Fresno State. They have incorporated elements
of entrapreneurship learning into their curriculum with the goal to inspire students
in all disciplines to apply knowledge in support of the entrepreneurial mindset. Today,
an active collaborative network of 20 full-time Faculty Fellows is placed throughout
the University integrating an entrepreneurial mindset into their teaching.
The Johanson Entrepreneurship Student Fellows are also an elite group of students who are provided with extensive coaching and access to resources. Over the course of the semester, the program is designed to accelerate progress towards the completion of a marketable product or the launch of a business. After being recommended by a Johanson Faculty Fellow and accepted, the Student Fellows receive 3 credits and a stipend up to $1,000 to cover expenses related to their launch.
Laval Entrepreneur Mentor Program
The Laval Entrepreneur Mentor Program (EMP) provides students from all disciplines
the opportunity to build impactful relationships with Central Valley business leaders.
Students in EMP are matched with a mentor that best suits their area of interest.
Pay It Forward Luncheon Series
Each Pay It Forward luncheon features a leader from or with connections to the Central
Valley. The program brings informative topics with the goal of linking business concepts
to a variety of other disciplines in order to engage students from all majors. The
Pay It Forward series also provides students with invaluable networking opportunities
with community leaders.
Student Hatchery
The Lyles Center Student Hatchery offers support and office space to student entrepreneurs
in order to work on their businesses while attending Fresno State. Students receive
mentoring, access to resources, a complete office and access to facilities at the
Lyles Center such as the boardroom and classroom.
Entrepreneur In Residence
As the Lyles Center’s Entrepreneur in Residence, a prominent entrepreneur is selected
to supervise the Student Hatchery, lecture in Fresno State classes, conduct seminars
and act as the link between the Lyles Center and entrepreneurial leaders of the Central
Valley. Nelson Sebra is currently in his eleventh consecutive year as the Lyles Center’s Entrepreneur
in Residence.
Intrapreneur In Residence
As the Lyles Center’s first-ever Intrapreneur in Residence, Mendy Laval provides students
with invaluable guidance and insights on implementing an innovative culture and entrepreneurial
skills in a corporate setting.
MakerBot 3D Printer
The MakerBot 3D Printer is available to students upon approval.
Central Valley Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (CVIEF)
CVIEF features five ventures that present to a panel of investors and compete for
the Investor Award. During the event, attendees also pretend to be venture capitalists
for the day and make pseudo-investments in 20 promising local entrepreneurs and startup
ventures that are competing to win the Audience Award. CVIEF is a collaboration between
the Office of Community and Economic Development, the WET Center and Central Valley
Fund.
Entrepreneur Support Group (ESG)
Modeled after the Entrepreneur Organization, ESG nurtures a peer-to-peer learning
environment where eight to 10 entrepreneurs learn from each other through monthly
meetings. These sessions emphasize confidentiality, personal responsibility and lessons
learned.
Startup Grind
The Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is Startup Grind’s first globally
recognized University Chapter. Startup Grind is the largest independent startup community,
actively educating, inspiring, and connecting 1,000,000 entrepreneurs in over 250
cities.
Fresno State STEM 5
STEM 5 is a new, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) aligned curriculum that
facilitates learning through engaging students in hands-on experiments. Developed
in partnership with University High School and Kremen School of Education.
Fresno State STEAM Tunnels
The Fresno State STEAM Tunnels stimulates innovative and creative thinking by having
students participate in engaging projects that require creativity and teamwork. During
each activity students learn to apply scientific concepts and skills to solve a particular
problem. Students design models, make observations, record data and communicate their
ideas and findings, while thinking through real world problems. The Fresno State STEAM
Tunnels program incorporates a modified 5E instructional Model, Next Generation Science
Standards, Universal Design for Learning and State Math Standards.
Kids Invent! 6th Grade +
Kids Invent! 6th Grade + is an improved and streamlined version of the previous curriculum.
Students explore science through unique problems of design and functionality and work
in teams to solve real-life problems.
Sweet Potato Project
In partnership with West Fresno Family Resource Center and Jordan College of Agricultural
Sciences and Technology, middle and high school students learn various topics of agri-business
from team-building, product development to marketing and finances. The program culminates
with a Shark Tank-style pitch competition in front of a panel of judges, friends and
family.
Lyles Center STEP (High School Program)
The Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fresno State is proud to present
their newly developed entrepreneurship curriculum for high school students. These schools
will receive any administrative support needed for the successful implementation of
the curriculum. This newly developed program was specifically designed with students
AND teachers in mind.