Program to Become Among the Few of its Kind at an HBCU
Bowie State students will learn how to take their business ideas from concept to launch with a new entrepreneurship and small business management concentration, starting in fall 2016.
As the oldest historically black college or university (HBCU) in Maryland, Bowie State will become one of just a handful of HBCUs around the country offering a program in entrepreneurship. Not only will undergraduate students in business administration be able to select the concentration as part of their studies, but the courses will also be available to students in other programs throughout the university.
“The trend in business education is moving toward entrepreneurship and small business management – most of the businesses in the United States are small businesses with fewer than 500 employees,” said College of Business Dean Anthony Nelson. “Bowie State offers students the chance to learn the latest innovation to be successful as small business owners and help larger companies thrive.”
The concentration will teach students how to develop a startup, run a small business, navigate the venture financing process and bring an entrepreneur’s perspective to large organizations, all while building on a foundation of concepts of marketing, accounting, finance and management. The program’s core faculty is active in the local business community and has experience in business development, management and consulting. Real-world business development will be a major component of the program.
“That practical experience is really important in terms of taking what they learned in the classroom about business strategy and adding value to an organization,” said Dr. Stevie Watson, chair of the Bowie State Department of Management, Marketing and Public Administration.
Bowie State built foundation for new program
Over the past four years, the university’s College of Business laid the groundwork for entrepreneurship education. It is home of two business incubators and has held several competitions that have attracted dozens of budding student entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into business plans.
The Bowie Business Innovation Center (BIC) became the first Maryland incubator at an HBCU when it opened at Bowie State in 2012. A year later, the College of Business developed the Entrepreneurship Academy, an initiative to engage students from Bowie State and local high schools in entrepreneurship training. In 2014, the academy launched the Student Business Hatchery for Bowie State student entrepreneurs to develop their ventures with help from faculty and professional mentors.
“Studying entrepreneurship at Bowie State means having access to internship and mentoring opportunities with local business owners in the Bowie BIC,” said Nelson. “It also means having a chance to develop your own business while still in college.”
The Entrepreneurship Academy’s annual Idea Competition allows students to compete for seed money and the chance to join the Student Business Hatchery. The top five students present their plans to a panel of local business leaders and professors, who select the top three winners. The presentations for this year’s competition take place on April 14.
Millennials prefer to be their own boss
More Millennials, ages 18-34, prefer to start or own their own business or own a company than to become a company executive, according to a 2014 Bentley University study. But many may not have the tools to find success.
“Many of our students have business ideas, but they are not refined,” said Dr. Watson. “This program will help students acquire the tools, knowledge and skill sets needed to start their own businesses.”
One student, Meshelle McNair, owns an interior design firm she started 10 years ago, but she knew she needed an education in business to continue to be successful. A Bowie State senior studying business administration, McNair opened her business out of love for architectural design.
“I didn’t have any training in entrepreneurship, which is my biggest regret,” she said. “Once I started the business I realized I could design very well, but I didn’t have business knowledge. That’s why I’m back in school now.”
With the addition of the new concentration, Dr. Watson says students with aspirations to own a business or who already own a business will find opportunities to follow their passions and learn skills to be successful.
“We want to be able to help students refine what they already know and help them take their ideas and create something that is meaningful to the marketplace… something to make people’s lives better,” he said.
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ABOUT BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit the website at
www.bowiestate.edu.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Monday, April 11th 2016 at 2:43PM
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