Santa Clara University EMBA Students Collaborate with the Tech-For-Good Nonprofit Readability Matters
Since 1851, Santa Clara University (SCU) has been home to generations of students committed to innovating with a mission.
This year is no different as Executive MBA students from the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University (SCU) collaborated with the tech-for-good nonprofit Readability Matters. The New Product Innovation Course is taught by Dr. Kumar Sarangee, Director of the nationally-ranked Executive MBA program.
Tanya Monsef, Readability Matters Board Member and Santa Clara University Executive Professor, saw an opportunity to connect the two organizations. “To bring better reading to everyone, creative thinking and entrepreneurial spirit are required,” Tanya observed. She knew the EMBA students would offer important insights to the team at Readability Matters.
This fall term’s Product Innovation case study was Readability Matters. Four teams of students developed comprehensive offerings as part of an experiential term-long project. Proposals included market analysis, new product development, monetization strategies, and go-to-market execution. “This product innovation class requires the students to analyze new markets, evaluate different business models, and propose potential new solutions along with an execution plan,” remarked Kumar. “What I really liked about the Readability Matters project was that it challenged my students to think about how new products and services can accelerate mission-driven organizations.”
Readability Matters was thrilled to partner with Kumar and his students, who are seasoned leaders with an average of 17 years of managerial experience from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds. Kathy Crowley, Readability Matters Founder and proud SCU undergraduate alum (BSEE), stated, “The project results were outstanding. We value multi-sector, diverse perspectives; the students certainly gave us a lot to think about as we drive the mission of Readability Matters forward.”
ABOUT SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY: Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara University blends high-tech innovation with a social consciousness grounded in the Jesuit educational tradition.
ABOUT DR. KUMAR SARANGEE: Kumar Sarangee is an associate Professor in Marketing and the Director of Executive MBA at Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University. His expertise is in product & technology management and new product innovation, especially in dynamic markets.
ABOUT TANYA MONSEF: Tanya Monsef teaches in Santa Clara University‘s Leavey School of Business, serves as faculty for the Coming Into Your Own (CIYO) Women’s Leadership Program, and is a leader in the Conscientious Capitalism Leadership Forum. She integrates her 25+ years in Silicon Valley high tech, startup, non-profit, and academia experience to support leaders in increasing their impact.
