Advertising, graphic design and psychology are just a few of the many majors represented in DePaul's new entrepreneurship fraternity emphasizing that pursuing entrepreneurship can be a perfect avenue for any student. (Image courtesy of the Nu Chapter of Epsilon Nu Tau)
Pursuing entrepreneurship can be a perfect avenue for any student. From advertising to graphic design to psychology, students of all backgrounds and majors are represented in DePaul's entrepreneurship fraternity, the Nu Chapter of Epsilon Nu Tau. The Nu chapter, which launched in January 2017, is the first anchor for the business fraternity in Illinois.
Currently led by freshman, Abbie Krech, alongside faculty advisor and entrepreneurship professor, Patrick J. Murphy, the Nu chapter has self-organized and expanded significantly, with hopes to grow even more in the near future.
"We are a group of like-minded, ambitious, creative individuals who want to do something entrepreneurial. We have many unique support channels and can come to each other for different skills because we are not all business majors," Krech says. "The chapter accepts anyone, because ultimately, entrepreneurship is diverse and exists in every single realm. We are outside the status quo. The outliers, rebels, risk takers - the round peg in the square hole."
Epsilon Nu Tau is a coed, professional national organization where students gain the opportunity to brainstorm, innovate and collaborate with their peers to pursue entrepreneurial goals.
DePaul's chapter is geared toward any student with entrepreneurial interests. Beginning with five students, the organization now has 15 members. Members of the group strive to succeed in their own entrepreneurial endeavors, but also want to grow as a chapter at DePaul.
The organization is socially purposeful, progressive, technology and business oriented, diverse in identity and majors and keen to build entrepreneurial ventures. Members of the group mentor and learn from one another. They also gain insight from their chapter's advisory board of DePaul alumni entrepreneurs and make connections throughout the greater Chicago community and beyond.
"At DePaul, we benefit greatly from our Vincentian values, but another huge part of our culture is our urban identity," Murphy says. "Our location in Chicago puts us in a context where many entrepreneurs are doing many interesting things. We have a unique ability to connect meaningfully with them, and that's a vital part of the student educational experience, both in and out of the classroom."
The Nu Chapter meets once a week at WeWork, an entrepreneurial co-working space in Chicago, where they are able to connect with other entrepreneurs for brainstorming sessions, mentorship, as well as work on their own personal and chapter projects. In addition to focusing on professional endeavors and connections, the chapter is also working to incorporate "bigs" and "littles" to create friendship, mentorship and community amongst members.
"Our chapter is different, we aren't just listening to entrepreneurs talk. We are more interested in directly experiencing entrepreneurship ourselves," says Kelly Heidt, DePaul freshman and chapter vice president.