Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership | Illinois

Visit Outside-The-Box website

Outside the Box, a new television show that showcases successful entrepreneurs and best practices for entrepreneurship partnerships and education has attracted a number of loyal viewers in its inaugural season.  Dr. Tony Mendes from the Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the University of Illinois, and Fay Rouseff-Baker, Associate Vice President for Teaching and Learning at Parkland College have collaborated to create this dynamic, fast-paced entrepreneurial program.  The goal of the show, besides to inform, is to inspire viewers to think more entrepreneurially about life and their own ventures.

The premiere of Outside the Box, produced by the talented crew of the Parkland College TV station, featured downtown Champaign entrepreneurs who stimulated an exciting Renaissance program to rejuvenate city life.  Two influential real estate developers were interviewed to share their insights on what it takes to have a successful idea and to be an innovative and accomplished entrepreneur.  The show also highlighted ground-breaking work taking place in the Research Park at the University of Illinois, and featured many of the companies in the incubator whose businesses are quickly developing into industry leaders. 

Another popular episode was filmed in Chicago, at the Worldwide Universities Network Enterprise Conference.  Influential international entrepreneurs, faculty, students, and administrators were interviewed on the changing dynamic of entrepreneurship in higher education.