Andrew Beers
Academic Experience
Introduction to the Bachelor of Innovation Degree
Throughout my experience in the Bachelor of Innovation (BI) program at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), I have had an untraditional college experience. The BI program is unique in that I have not been told how to act but was able to learn through leadership and trial and error. The opportunities that this program has given me has altered the course of my life and the way I approach the world around me, both with a broader perspective and in my approach to solutions. As the next generation of innovators, it is our responsibility to teach and make meaningful change in the world, and a responsibility that has taken on new meaning to me after my years of learning in this program. What started as a two-dimensional concept has transformed into a meaningful and in-depth way to approach the future.
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Innovation Core
These are a few of the most important innovation courses I have taken that helped me to become the innovator I am today.
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Innovation Team: Design and Lead INOV 4010
Senior teams’ course where I lead a team of five students in a semester long project. Lead a team of five other students with client Cole Chapmen on his company Boreas Dry Ice Cleaning. The goal of this project was to identify strategic partners and players in the dry ice cleaning space as well as develop innovative CO2 capturing solutions.
Innovation Team: Research and Execute INOV 3010
Junior level continuation of the teams’ course sequence with advanced participation in team projects including research, design, and execution. This project I worked with client Joe Hollman with the City of Colorado Springs with the purpose of the project being to provide the Olympic City USA with a scalable platform and detailed action plan to expand their merchandise efforts. This was accomplished through a variety of activities that helped strengthen and increase awareness of Olympic City USA.
Technical Writing, Proposals, & Presentations INOV 2100
This course addresses five major types of technical writing: project reports, funding proposals, magazine and trade articles, technical reports, and journal articles. Includes peer review and critical assessments of others' writings. Over the course of this semester I worked with John Hooper who started Hoop’s House a non-profit where people can recover in a safe and supportive sober living environment. Our goal was to write and submit grants in order to secure funding for the halfway house.
Business & Intellectual Property Law BLAW 2010
Examines the legal significance of ideas, innovations, and start-up organizations. A focus on the issues of intellectual property, including patents, copyrights, and brand protection. I accomplished the task of creating a patent and submit to the US patent office for approval.
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Business Core
These are the business courses that I believe took me to the next level of understanding the business world around us.
Strategic Management STRT 45000
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Takes a general manager's perspective on the administration of the corporation. Topics include the role and responsibility of general management, analysis of threats and opportunities in the competitive environment, strategies for building and sustaining competitive advantage, strategy implementation and management, and strategic management in the international environment.
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Organizational Development and Change MGMT 4370
This course provides students with critical skills for today’s times of unprecedented change and fierce competition. The course introduces students to the field of Organization Development and Change that prepares leaders and those committed to being change champions with skills in improving the health and performance of individuals, groups, and organizations and in effectively managing change.
Fundamentals of Operations Management OPTM 3000
This course introduces theories, principles and analytical models which guide and facilitate decision making in the operating system for both manufacturing and service organizations. The topics move from strategic choices in operations management to tactical decisions. Students will be exposed to in-depth discussions on operations strategy, supply chain management, process analysis and design, production planning, inventory management, quality management, and project management.
Introduction to Management Information INFS 3000
Study of how Information and data are used in business. Shows students how information systems and their data support critical operations to drive today's critical strategic business decisions. The elements of the supporting Information Technology are studied and the direct application of data in Business Intelligence in specific business situations is discussed. Integral to the class, students study the impacts of Cyber Security and Business Intelligence on business by undertaking a practical business scenario leveraging Business Intelligence tools and techniques.
Principles of Marketing MKTG 3000
Analytical survey of issues involved with the development and exchange of goods and services. Takes a marketing management approach in attacking problems related to product planning, channels of distribution, pricing and promotion. Emphasizes the role of marketing in responding to changing environmental conditions.
The Innovation Journey
Being an innovator is about taking action and being ready to take on any challenge that is presented to you. Innovation is often used as a buzz word by those who don’t truly understand how to transform their ideas into impact. This desire for innovation causes paralysis of the mind and does not actually have an affect on those around us. True innovation comes from creating an impact in the lives of those around you and that is what innovation means to me. Over the course of my professional career landscaping, changing tires and moving furniture I have seen many people fail mostly due to their lack of willingness. In my different roles across school and work I have found myself in many situations where leadership and teamwork are at the forefront of a team’s success. Having seen many teams fail I have a good grasp on what causes these issues. The best part about the failing is it gives an opportunity to learn from our mistakes and apply that knowledge going forward. What this looks like for me is seizing every moment as an opportunity to learn from a given situation.
I am a loving, positive, and passionate person. My ability to relate to others and listen to other people’s stories is something I greatly admire in myself. I stand for enjoying each moment as it comes and trying to brighten the days of those around me. Over the last year I have found great happiness in teaching and helping others to see the world through many different lenses. I’ve learned the hard way that not everything can be accomplished on your own and you need the strength of those around you to be successful, as life is a team sport.
Throughout my experience in the Bachelor of Innovation (BI) program at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) I have had an untraditional college experience as I have not been told how to act but shown through leadership and failure. The opportunities that this program has given me has altered the course of my life and the world around us. As innovators it is our responsibility to teach and make meaningful change in the world.
As the result of being an innovator I have helped 100+ co-workers of mine increase their communication skills. With these skills not only has that equipped them to perform their jobs at a higher level but has also helped them in their day-to-day life to be better people. With the power of communication, I was able to save many relationships with friends and family and through innovation give that same power to those around me.
Going forward I plan to scale this teaching to those less fortunate, like children in difficult circumstances or those who can never catch a break. I will do this in order to ensure they live a happy and successful life in their own eyes. This impact will create an everlasting change on the world as those life skills will enable them to be the best versions of themselves.
As an innovator it’s about finding solutions through action, communication and being a leader. “Being” is the solution to this difficult equation of life and all the challenges it presents us, it’s about how we are and how we act in every given situation and always asking ourselves “How can I be better?” no matter how big or how small.
Work Experience
NEWS LETTERS
These are some of the newsletters I send out to over 22,000+ people every month
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Testimonials
These are a few of the clients I worked with during my time as a team Captain
