Dr. Barth Strempek, Associate Professor of Business Administration, presented a paper entitled “Academic Benefits, Practical Issues: Assessment of an Integrated Entrepreneurship Program” at the Annual Meeting of the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) in Tuscon, Arizona in mid-January. The paper presents a complete assessment of the results of the Elon Enterprise Academy Program conducted during 2001-2004.
Abstract: A FIPSE Grant from the U. S. Department of Education allowed Elon University to expand and integrate its entrepreneurship program into the Elon Enterprise Academy (EEA). This program integrated the delivery of content in three core business courses with the development of business enterprises in music recording, publications, events and marketing consulting. This paper presents an assessment of educational and enterprise development objectives. Key findings are: (1) higher-level learning objectives were achieved, (2) variability in enterprises success was observed, and (3) like other programs of this type, significant sustainability issues were encountered.