Institutionalizing Entrepreneurship at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions

Susanna Howe, Smith College;
Clifton Kussmaul, Muhlenberg College;
Michael Lehman, Juniata College;
Paul Lane, Grand Valley State University;
Douglas Arion, Carthage College;
Robert Weissbach, Pennsylvania State University;
Lauren Way, Hampshire College

This panel discusses issues affecting entrepreneurship at primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs). We have three objectives: identify common issues and concerns; strengthen the sense of community; and plan future collaborations. PUIs represent the majority of institutions and serve the majority of students, but differ from research universities. PUIs usually have fewer students, resources, and facilities; more limited faculty and staff expertise; higher teaching loads; less external funding; and smaller research programs. Thus, PUIs tend
to emphasize ideation and the entrepreneurial mindset and process. The panelists are PUI faculty collaborating to identify and document best practices for supporting invention and innovation. Their initial focus includes five areas: a body of knowledge and core competencies; a stage gate model for team projects; curricular modules and materials; frameworks to foster heterogeneous teams; and guidelines for staffing and staff professional development.

>>Read the peer-reviewed paper here (PDF)