The Shoemaker Scholars program brings together 10 Indiana University Bloomington students from a variety of academic disciplines. They encourage other students to explore their own entrepreneurial and innovative interests, and they oversee the StartupIU website that connects students with university-based startups. John and Donna Shoemaker funded the program, which awards annual scholarships to its members. Travis J. Brown launched and directs the program.
Natalia Galá, a senior from Anaheim, California, majors in special education and general education in the School of Education. She has been a Shoemaker Scholar for two semesters.
“Going into my last year of being a Shoemaker Scholar and an undergraduate student is very exciting and nerve-wracking,” Galá said. “I am excited to see what this group brings to the table, and I am hopeful that even though we are in the middle of a pandemic that things will run smoothly and that we Shoemaker Scholars are able to help future entrepreneurs.”
Crimson Catalyst: What is the biggest impact Shoemaker Scholars have?
Natalia Galá: The biggest impact that the program has is that it helps students who have entrepreneurial goals to have access to the full resources they need. It also helps students tackle any inconveniences they may have along the way.
CC: How did you learn about the Shoemakers Scholars program?
NG: I initially learned about this program thanks to my friend Richard Xu. He is a former Shoemaker Scholar who achieved a lot, and I hope to follow his footsteps.
CC: What do you enjoy most about being a Shoemaker Scholar?
NG: I enjoy being part of a group of students all have different goals but are trying to change the world. I enjoy hearing the different ideas that each individual has.
CC: What is a common misconception students have about entrepreneurship and innovation?
NG: One is that those words are exclusive to just the Kelley School of Business and Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering. Any person studying any major can have entrepreneurial goals. It isn’t strictly business- or technology-related majors that are innovative.
CC: How do you share insights with others, as an ambassador?
NG: By sharing different resources that I have been able to have access to. I also make sure that others know that these Scholars and I can help them pursue their entrepreneurial goals.
CC: What are your own entrepreneurial endeavors?
NG: Beyond being a Shoemaker Scholar, I love working with kids. I have a passion for helping others, and I hope that in the future I am able to open schools in poor Latin American countries to help students who do not get the same chances as kids in the United States.
More information about the Shoemaker Scholars program is available at the following websites:
Leave a Reply