US Southeast
The University of North Carolina Wilmington
Profile of Entrepreneurship
The University of North Carolina has been involved in entrepreneurship education and outreach services since the 1970s. The University is in the process of developing a Center for Entrepreneurship and Emerging Ventures which will serve as a catalyst for additional initiatives. The Center for Entrepreneurship and Emerging Ventures will work closely with the Cameron School of Business’s Center for Business and Economic Services.
The Cameron School of Business is accredited by AACSB International and offers ten undergraduate majors and four graduate programs: two MBA programs, an MS in Accounting program, and an MS in Computer Science and Information Systems. The Cameron School of Business also has a strong international focus. It is a member of the TransAtlantic Business School Alliance with partnership universities in France, Germany, and Spain. Its International MBA program has partnership schools in France, Russia, and Germany.
Academic Offerings in Entrepreneurship:
The Cameron School of Business offers an undergraduate option in Entrepreneurship and Business Development. Over 130 students are pursuing this option. The Cameron School of Business also offers a graduate course in entrepreneurship.
1. The undergraduate option in Entrepreneurship and Business Development. (seven courses)
This option provides students with a solid foundation in entrepreneurship. It also focuses on developing emerging businesses and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and innovation in established businesses. The skills and knowledge gained in this option target three particular career paths: (1) Entrepreneurship: starting a business or helping others start businesses, (2) Business Development: becoming part of an emerging business including a family business or assisting an emerging business grow as a banker, investor or advisor, or (3) Corporate Entrepreneurship: bringing entrepreneurial skills to established businesses by identifying opportunities and launching new products and services.
Required courses: Entrepreneurship, Managing Emerging Ventures, Entrepreneurial Finance and Valuation, Global Entrepreneurship, and Business Development and Commercialization.
Additional Required course: Human Resource Management or Organizational Behavior
Required Elective (at least one course): Professional Selling, Hospitality Management, Negotiations, Service Operations Management, Commercial Law, Directed Individual Study, or Internship in Entrepreneurship and Business Development.
2. Post-Doctorate Program: UNCW is the only university in the U.S. to offer a program where people with a doctorate in Marine Sciences have the opportunity to pursue an MBA while serving as a member of the faculty/research staff for UNCW’s Center for Marine Science. Participants in the post-doc program take a graduate course in entrepreneurship that includes technology transfer. The participants also do a practicum that analyzes the commercialization of a marine science concept.
3. Entrepreneurship for Non-Business Majors. This course focuses on the entrepreneurial mindset, how to identify and evaluate opportunities, as well as how to develop a business plan.
Additional Entrepreneurship Dimensions and Activities:
- Progress Energy/Betty Cameron Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship. This endowed
professorship is provided to attract and keep outstanding faculty.
2. Entrepreneurship Faculty. Faculty involved in the entrepreneurship program have extensive entrepreneurship experience. They have also taught at various foreign universities and written numerous books and articles.
3. Visiting Entrepreneur Program. This program invites an entrepreneur to be in residence as a mentor, guest speaker, and resource either for a few days, a semester, or an academic year.
4. Entrepreneurship Advisory Board: Thirteen entrepreneurs, investors, and service providers serve on the advisory board.
5. Cameron Executive Network: Over 150 executives and retirees serve as mentors or resources for undergraduate students in the Cameron School of Business.
6. Business Plan Competition. Senior students in the entrepreneurship and business development option who have the top business plans are invited to present their plans too a jury of entrepreneurs. The winner receives management consulting, legal counseling, and accounting advice from corporate sponsors.
7. Entrepreneurship Case Competition. Senior students in the entrepreneurship and business development option form teams to analyze an entrepreneurship case and present their analysis and recommendations to a jury of faculty and entrepreneurs.
8. Entrepreneurship Club. This club is open to all students .It provides students with speakers and networking opportunities.
9. Entrepreneurs’ Roundtable. This luncheon series provides twelve students with the opportunity to interact in an informal environment with entrepreneurs.
10. Starting Your Own Business Workshop. This program is open to students, faculty, staff, and the community.
11. Outstanding Entrepreneurship Award. The outstanding student is honored each year.
12. Entrepreneurship Scholarship. The Buddy Beck family scholarship is available for a senior majoring in Entrepreneurship and Business Development
13. Business Week. The Cameron School of Business’s major annual event features numerous entrepreneurs as guest speakers.
14. Youth Entrepreneurs Program. This program provides junior high school and high school students with the opportunity to study entrepreneurship and develop a concept for a new business.
15. Small Business and Technology Development Center. The Cameron School of Business works closely with the SBTDC which is a joint venture with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
- EBD Internship Shadow Program. Students pursuing the entrepreneurship and business development option are expected to spend time with entrepreneurs and/or key members of the entrepreneurial/management team on site to learn about the challenges associated with growing a business.
- 2010 Rural Entrepreneurship Summit Host. UNCW will host this conference. It will celebrate, foster, and grow entrepreneurship throughout North Carolina with particular emphasis on the rural communities. The conference focuses on five key imperatives: entrepreneurship education at all levels, NC's business finance system, technical assistance, policy and community support, and business to business networking.
- Coastal Business Awards. This annual event celebrates entrepreneurship in Southeastern NC. It honors entrepreneurs and businesses in four categories: Young Entrepreneur, Most Innovative Entrepreneur, Emerging Entrepreneur, and Established Entrepreneur.
For More Information:
Stephen C. Harper, Ph.D. Progress Energy/Betty Cameron Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship harpers@uncw.edu 910-962-3517 Cameron School of Business @ www.csb.uncw.edu
The University of North Carolina Wilmington, 601 S. College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403
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