Mindset Scholars - Certificate of Completion [2025 - 2026]

Ciocca Center Mindset Scholars is a 1 year program that cultivates and supports a multidisciplinary and multicultural community of undergraduate First Year students from across SCU, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset.

The four facets of an Entrepreneurial Mindset are:

• Awareness of how we make a difference
• Empathy for those we strive to help
• Optimism to see problems as opportunities
• Confidence to tolerate risk

At the completion of the program, scholars will receive recognition with university leadership and be equipped with tools to direct their life's journey! Read more about the components of this unique experience below. Mindset Scholars begin their experience by joining our Early Arrival program, where students move into campus early - the Tuesday before school starts. Then, spend the week participating in fun and engaging activities and community building. Then, Mindset Scholars take academic coursework that covers the entrepreneurial mindset from the perspective of each school. View the academic coursework schedule in the graphic below.

Mindset Scholars also includes unique co-curricular and experiential opportunities:

• Field Excursions - opportunities to explore the entrepreneurial mindset in Silicon Valley.  
• Other special workshops and opportunities, including breakfast with President Julie Sullivan
• Mentorship from SCU Faculty and Staff

Mindset Scholars is estimated to be about a 5 hour time commitment per week on average.