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Center for Innovation and Leadership

Department Overview

The Center for Innovation and Leadership (CIL) provides opportunities for the Swarthmore community to develop the skills to lead, innovate and create value. Through experiential learning, engaging programs, internships, mentorship, and funding, we offer the tools for students to improve the world around them- by starting a new venture or leading in their community. Collaborating with Swarthmore’s cutting-edge faculty, committed staff, and engaged alumni, the CIL offers the opportunity for Swatties to dream big and apply knowledge for positive impact. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Virtual Summer Opportunities Fair

Label: Wednesday, January 8, 2025 | 1-3 PM | Zoom

Interested in learning about what summer funding options & resources exist through Swarthmore? If you missed the Summer Opportunities Fair back in October, you’re in luck! Departments are eager to share how students (first years, sophs and juniors primarily) can take advantage of these resources! Come when you can, leave when you must. Check out the Summer Opportunities Website: https://www.swarthmore.edu/summer-opportunities

Register Here

Summer Funding Applications Open

Label: Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Open to first-years, sophomores, and juniors ONLY. The CIL will provide a $6,000 stipend per student seeking an internship, research opportunity, etc. in innovation, management, entrepreneurship, or leadership. One program opportunity that the CIL may fund is the Nepal Institute for Study Abroad Leading Change program (details below). CIL Summer Funding is intended for unpaid summer experiences.

Tri-Co Protothon @ Bryn Mawr

Label: Saturday, February 8, 2025 - Sunday February 9, 2025

If you’re interested in solving problems, designing solutions, creating multimedia art, or coordinating group work, we encourage you to join us! A protothon is an event where teams create early models of an idea to solve specific challenges in design or innovation. Teams of 2-4 will have 24 hours to start prototyping an idea! No need to have an idea, just show up. 

Tri-Co Hackathon - Ideate and create a digital solution that answers a real-world problem

Label: Friday, February 14, 2025 - Saturday, February 15, 2025 | Friday 6:30 PM - Saturday 6:30 PM | Swarthmore College

If you’re interested in solving problems, designing solutions, creating multimedia art, or coordinating group work, we encourage you to join us! A protothon is an event where teams create early models of an idea to solve specific challenges in design or innovation. Teams of 2-4 will have 24 hours to start prototyping an idea! No need to have an idea, just show up. 

Rachel Simmons discusses how to fail successfully at her Failure Workshop hosted by the CIL in September. Read more about the workshop here...

Rachel Simmons discusses how to fail successfully at her Failure Workshop hosted by the CIL in September. Read more about the workshop here...

The CIL took 11 students to California for a week of experiential learning on the CIL @SF trip! More here...

 

SwatTank 2017 finalists

The finalists of the 2017 SwatTank Innovation Competition answer questions about their business pitches.

Students

Students have the opportunity to learn, develop, and build skills through LINK workshops throughout the academic year.

The winning team of SwatTank 2016, Sedinam Worlanyo ‘17 (left) and Bolutife Fakoya ‘17, founded a company that produces artisanal backpacks from Africa, each made with a unique design and meaning. More here...

Rachel Simmons discusses how to fail successfully at her Failure Workshop hosted by the CIL in September. Read more about the workshop here...

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