What is your background in entrepreneurship, and when did you become interested in this area?
I started working in innovation and entrepreneurships at my second job, after receiving my engineering degree. At the time, I was the director of research and development for a cutting tools company in Monterrey, Mexico. That experience helped me realize my passion for creating and developing new products and businesses. I also took a course in innovation and entrepreneurship during my master’s studies around that same time, which also helped grow that interest. I stayed in graduate school for a while, getting a master’s and Ph.D. However, after graduation, I went straight to work for an innovation studio in Houston, developing medical and diagnostic devices in collaboration with clinicians and researchers from the Texas Medical Center, Rice University, and Texas A&M. After that I took a job as CTO of a construction technology startup, also in the Houston area. While there, I helped lead a group of engineers developing new materials and residential construction processes. And more recently, I opened up a consulting company focused on engineering and scientific advising for other innovation companies.
How did you come into the position of Director of Innovation at Andrews?
A faculty friend of mine, Professor Anthony Bosman, told me about the position earlier this year. I had a chance to speak with a couple of professors before I applied, to learn more about the job description and Andrews University’s work environment. After applying, I did an online interview with the search committee, which included the President, the Provost, and other Faculty. For the final interview I was asked to come to Andrews University for a full day of interviews. That day I met with the Dean’s Council, the President, the Provost, the Faculty Senate, the Search Committee, and the VP of Diversity & Inclusion. Overall, I had very good conversations throughout the day and found a lot of agreement with respect to mine and the University’s vision for innovation & entrepreneurship at Andrews.
What exactly does this job entail for you on a daily basis?
There’s a lot of administrative work at this point because we’re building the structure of the program from the ground up. It includes writing intellectual property policy, non-disclosure agreements, contacting prospective industry partners, meeting with department/school chairs, deans, and faculty, speaking at faculty meetings, speaking at student group meetings, creating a website, social media accounts, logos, planning and managing courses for the innovation and entrepreneurship certificate, selecting and purchasing equipment, tools, and furniture for the new innovation lab/classroom and office, among other tasks. All this work requires many emails and phone/zoom calls.
Do you have any future long-term plans for Andrews as the newly appointed Director?
Yes, absolutely. I would like Andrews University to become a place where students and faculty constantly engage in creating new products, ideas, ministries, organizations, and businesses; and I would like to see those innovations change communities around the world. I would like for Andrews to be known as a place of disruption. A place where students and faculty are not afraid to fail but are encouraged to try new things that can revolutionize the world. There are many problems around the world, and with our unique blend of academics and faith, we are called to be agents of change around the world. I believe the students and faculty here have the potential to truly impact the world.
What are the most enjoyable parts of your job, and some of the difficulties?
What I enjoy the most is talking with people about their ideas and helping them become a reality. That moment when a cool, new solution is found, it’s an awesome, unique experience. I truly enjoy ideaing. Some of the difficulties with my current job have to do with trying to create something new while at the same time maintaining the support of faculty and students, and uniting efforts from the people who have worked in the area of innovation here at Andrews prior to my arrival. I think everyone wants to see our university thrive, but obtaining a consensus on the best way to do so is always challenging. Hopefully I can continue to sell my vision and get buy-in from more and more of the Andrews community. I thank “The Student Movement” for allowing me to use their paper as a platform to share my vision for innovation & entrepreneurship for our university.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.