SYKES COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER An entrepreneur with an idea can change the world.
T h e University of Tampa Entrepreneurship Center in THE SYKES COLLEGE OF BUSINESS teaches skills critical to today s entrepreneurs. Through a combination of classroom study and applied learning, our program develops innovative, qualified business leaders with the skills to make their visions a reality. Entrepreneurship education is the fastest growing field of study in the United States, with entrepreneurs projected to be the primary drivers of sustained economic development worldwide.
POWER The of New ideas ignite the imagination. New leaders provide the spark. The UT Entrepreneurship Center cultivates both ideas and leaders, helping them to shape the future. The focus of our program is twofold: Engage students and the business community in creative, thought-provoking experiences Use research and academic training to explore entrepreneurial trends and discover new solutions to common business challenges We believe all students should have access to entrepreneurship education. We re creating an entrepreneurial community on campus. Whatever you can do, or dream you can, BEGIN IT! Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Goethe Rebecca White, Ph.D. Director of the Entrepreneurship Center and the James W. Walter Distinguished Chair of Entrepreneurship. 1
E M P O W E R I N G The University of Tampa currently offers four undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Entrepreneurship: The C.R.E.A.T.E. competition was an amazing experience. I went from pitching an idea to actually putting pen to paper to see if it was feasible. I was excited to be among the winners, but much more excited about the interest that my presentation generated, and the help from other entrepreneurs in the community that has been offered. UT Entrepreneurs are a diverse and aspiring group of young people we work hard to provide an exploratory atmosphere for members who are discovering their entrepreneurial notion. The connections I ve made through UT Entrepreneurs are life lasting, and I couldn t ask for anything more rewarding than a good, solid friendship. I like to think of UT Entrepreneurs as an electrical outlet; plugged in and engaged. This organization will help you soar. Working with Moffitt was an enriching experience. I had an opportunity to apply my knowledge in a real-life work situation. I m grateful that UT partnered with such a well-known and respected institution. Amber Kyambadde, MBA 11 Paul Szoldra 12 James Zebrowski 14 2
E X C E L L E N C E MAJOR OR MINOR IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP DUAL MAJOR IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP MBA WITH CONCENTRATION IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP UT s entrepreneurship program fosters the kind of outside the box thinking that prepares entrepreneurs for success in many endeavors. UT graduates have started new businesses, bought existing ventures and gone on to entrepreneurial positions in profit and non-profit ventures worldwide. CHMURA S STORY: Nick Chmura was named one of America's Coolest College Startups by Inc. Magazine for 2012. In 2010, Chmura was the first UT student to participate in Joining the UT Entrepreneurs organization is one of the best decisions I have ever made. The organization inspired me to discover what I am passionate about. As a result, I altered my career path, had the opportunity to participate in amazing opportunities, and met some of the greatest and most influential people in my life. When someone or something does that for you, don t ignore that feeling. I believe that is the exact moment when your life becomes the movie you always dreamt it would be. Phil Michaels 10, MBA 14 "As it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to build an entrepreneur. Being a part of the entrepreneurship community at The University of Tampa has and will always be a blessing for me, one I hope many budding entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to experience as well." Nick Chmura 12 the highly-competitive CEO Business Pitch Competition during the Collegiate Entrepreneur Organization conference in Chicago. He pitched BetterBoo, a webbased application that uses Facebook and Amazon to help users find and buy gifts. Chmura placed 12th in the competition and later secured $40,000 in seed funding for his idea. 3
All achievements, all earned riches, have their beginning in an idea. Napoleon Hill SUPPORTING PROGRAMS BIOENTREPRENEURSHIP PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MOFFITT CANCER CENTER Graduate entrepreneurship students work with physicians at Moffitt to evaluate the feasibility of developing businesses based on innovative cancer research and treatment products and services. C.R.E.A.T.E. BUSINESS IDEA PITCH POWERED BY BNY MELLON WEALTH MANAGEMENT The C.R.E.A.T.E. (Creating Real Entrepreneurial Actions Through Education) program provides students from all academic disciplines with the chance to pitch an idea. If selected, students win the opportunity to participate in a boot camp to help prepare them to compose a business plan and pitch their plan to a panel of qualified judges deemed experts in the field of entrepreneurship. THE MAIN STREET SPEAKER SERIES SPONSORED BY NORTHSTAR BANK Geared towards students and the business community, the Main Street Speaker Series grants access to entrepreneurs, their stories and the irreplaceable lessons that come with them. THE SPARTAN ACCELERATOR The Spartan Accelerator program is designed to help current students and recent alumni grow their business ideas. Each semester students and alumni can apply for this program, which partners The University of Tampa entrepreneurship program with other like-minded local organizations to make a significant impact on the region s economic future. The goal of this program is to help build the ecosystem to support the development and launch of new ventures. SOUTHEASTERN ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION CONFERENCE (SEECTAMPA.ORG) This program, put on by the UT Entrepreneurs club, commences every spring and is the only regional conference of the National Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO). More than 200 students nationwide attend to hear two days of outstanding speakers and participate in workshops. "SEEC is an amazing opportunity for anybody who has an entrepreneurial spirit and who would enjoy networking with some of the most talented entrepreneurs in our nation. This conference gives young people the opportunity to hear real-life stories and get real-world experience through informative speaking sessions, panels and pitch competitions. It is truly an inspiring and rewarding experience that you won't regret." Jasmine R. Rustogi 13 4
HOW YOU CAN HELP Develop a New Leader Internships allow business leaders to provide students with an opportunity to integrate their classroom study within a realworld work environment. Not only do internships help students assimilate with the business world, there are also numerous benefits to the employers who provide them. As a digital marketing intern at HSN, I learned about the intricacies of search engine optimization, paid-search campaign development, and bid management. I found this position through HIRE-UT, UT s career services website. This is a great tool for identifying opportunities inside and outside of Florida. Michael Awotedu, MBA '13 Be a Mentor The relationship between a mentor and a student is one that can greatly help the student achieve his or her academic and career goals. Interact with the Best and the Brightest As often as there is a business plan or an entrepreneurship related competition, there is a demand for volunteers to judge these competitions. The center hosts several of these each year and many of our classes engage business leaders in the region with evaluating new business concepts generated by students. Make Sparks at the Spartan Accelerator This program is a collaborative effort between The University of Tampa entrepreneurship program and local local like-minded businesses to help develop an ecosystem that supports the creation and sustainability of new ventures. The Spartan Accelerator program extends the educational curriculum into the real world of entrepreneurship. We provide access to mentors, resources and a supportive environment while students are building their companies. This is a critical component of their future success. Chuck Papageorgiou Managing Partner, Ideasphere Fuel the Annual Fund The Annual Fund is the primary means by which alumni, friends, parents, faculty and staff have provided financial support to The University. The fund provides money for academic scholarships, need-based scholarships, academic programs, campus improvements, teaching excellence and faculty development. Sponsor a Program There are multiple programs held through the Entrepreneurship Center that are in need of outside funding to stay afloat. By sponsoring a program you are extending the reach of education to students who are actively engaged in entrepreneurial programs.
Sykes College of Business The Sykes College of Business is internationally recognized as one of the most dynamic business schools. Our unwavering commitment to Excellence through Leadership, Innovation and Teaching Experientially (ELITE) has secured our place among the world s elite business education programs. Our students can select from nine undergraduate majors, three MBA programs and three Master of Science programs. In addition, the college is home to five specialized centers that contribute resources and expertise to enhance classroom curriculum, while also contributing in areas such as research, student development and public service. The Sykes College of Business remains one of the few private schools in the Southeast accredited at the graduate and undergraduate levels by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. This accreditation puts the college among the top 25 percent of all business programs. SYKES COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Vision To be recognized as the leading business school in the Southeast for preparing future world business leaders. Mission Preparing students to succeed in the global marketplace through educational excellence. Values and Goals People First: We attract, develop and support talented students, faculty and staff. Teaching Excellence: We focus on teaching excellence and high quality student-centered learning. 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Box O Tampa, FL 33606-1490 Dynamic Programs: We offer academically challenging graduate and undergraduate programs that prepare students for the dynamic local, regional and global workplace. The University of Tampa admits students of both sexes and all races, regardless of their age, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation and/or any handicap. This policy of nondiscrimination extends, both in letter and spirit, to all areas of a student s experience and the University. Scholarship: We enhance faculty teaching effectiveness and advance business knowledge through intellectual contributions and scholarship. Partnerships: We have formed strong partnerships and alliances with universities, communities and businesses on a local and global basis.