Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship
| Established | 2012 |
|---|---|
Parent institution | Drexel University |
| Dean | Donna de Carolis |
Administrative staff | 10 |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | University City |
The Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship is a school hosted by Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Founded by Charles D. Close through a donation to Drexel University, the Close School of Entrepreneurship was created to offer students a chance at a more in-depth entrepreneurship program. Before, colleges would only offer a select couple courses in entrepreneurship to business students, and Drexel's Bennett S. LeBow College of Business was no different. With the introduction of the Close School of Entrepreneurship, students can now take 20 to 25 courses specialized specifically for entrepreneurship. In an article written by Emmie Martin with Business Insider, Charles Sacco described the Close School of Entrepreneurship as having "a very immersive program, and that's why it's separate from the business school."[1]
History[edit]
Charles D. Close[edit]
Charles D. Close was a student of Drexel University who graduated in 1936, earning a degree in electrical engineering. As a student, Mr. Close was the President of the Chess Club and participated in the American Institute of Electrical Engineers.
According to the biography given on the Close School of Entrepreneurship's website, Mr. Close and his late wife, Barbara, established a philanthropic legacy called the Charles and Barbara Close Foundation in 1999. Its intent was to provide funds to build and launch the Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship.[2]
Founding of Close School[edit]
In 2012, Mr. Close donated a further $12.5 million to establish the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship. The school became operational in 2013. At the time, the Close School of Entrepreneurship was regarded as one of the few (if not the only) standalone entrepreneurship schools in the United States of America, and the only school in the surrounding region.[3][4]
Degrees[edit]
The Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship offers three forms of degrees.
Bachelor Degree of Entrepreneurship and Innovation[edit]
According to the degree requirements for a Bachelor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation degree, the school requires students to complete general education courses, as well as an array of entrepreneurship-focused courses. Alongside those courses, students are required to choose a language concentration (with options for computer science tracks) and a declared minor from those offered by Drexel Univeristy. The final requirement for students to earn a Bachelor Degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation is to focus on one of three entrepreneurship concentrations: social entrepreneurship, energy innovations, and health innovations.[5]
Master's Degree of Entrepreneurship and Innovation[edit]
To earn a master's degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, a student is required to take another 15 additional classes in entrepreneurship, business, and law-based subjects.[6]
Minors in Entrepreneurship and Innovation[edit]
The Close School of Entrepreneurship also offers five different minors:[7]
- A minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation for undergraduate students, with classes focusing on entrepreneurship topics.
- A minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation for graduate students, which does not have as many class requirements as a minor for undergraduate students, but rather focuses on more specific topics.
- A minor in Social Entrepreneurship that focuses on the social aspect of entrepreneurship.
- A minor in Energy Innovations that is geared towards renewable energies in business.
- A minor in Health Innovations that introduces students to biotechnology and healthcare in business.
Faculty[edit]
The Close School of Entreprenership is currently run and maintained by seven faculty members.[8] An external board of directors also oversees improvement of the curriculum and programs offered by the school.
- Donna De Carolis, Founding Dean
- Charles Sacco, Assistant Dean of Strategic Initiatives
- Damian Salas, Assistant Dean of Entrepreneurship Programs and Assistant Teaching Professor
- Roy Carriker, Teaching Professor
- Scott Quitel, Director of Social Entrepreneurship
- Gina Waters, Director of Administration and Operations
- John Rutter, Executive Assistant to Dean De Carolis
Programs[edit]
The Close School of Entrepreneurship hosts two major programs available to both students and the public.[9]
Entrepreneurship Co-op[edit]
The Entrepreneurship Co-op is an option added the Close School of Entrepreneurship to offer students a chance to create their own business during a co-op period at Drexel University. Students are given $15,000 seed funding, and offered mentorship, training, and progress reports to further enhance the students' experience.
Startup Fest[edit]
Startup Fest is an annual event hosted jointly by the Close School of Entrepreneurship and the Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship. The event includes keynote speeches, networking opportunities, pitch competitions, and the annual Baiada Institute Incubator Competition.
Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship[edit]
History[edit]
The Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship is an incubator organization offering space for companies that are run by both students and non-students. The institute was founded in 2001 under the name "the Baiada Center" and originally hosted in the Lebow College of Business, named after entrepreneur Mel Baiada for his father Laurence. The institute changed name and location in 2012 when it transferred operations to the Close School of Entrepreneurship under the current name it holds.[10]
Faculty[edit]
The Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship is maintained by three main faculty members.[11]
- Charles Sacco, Director, Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneur in Residence & Director of External Relations
- Debra Colbert-Maduforo, Assistant Director of Entrepreneurship
- Milton Silver, Director of Members
References[edit]
- ↑ Martin, Emmie. "Drexel Just Opened America's First Stand-Alone School Of Entrepreneurship". Business Insider. Business Insider Inc. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
- ↑ "Charles D. Close". Drexel University Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship. Drexel University. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
- ↑ Reyes, Juliana. "Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship: Drexel's $12.5M gift". Technical.ly Philly. TechnicallyMedia. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
- ↑ Martin, Emmie. "Drexel Just Opened America's First Stand-Alone School Of Entrepreneurship". Business Insider. Business Insider Inc. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
- ↑ "Entrepreneurship and Innovation Degree Requirements". Drexel University Catalog. Drexel University. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
- ↑ "Entrepreneurship and Innovation Degree Requirements via Graduate Catalog". Drexel University Catalog. Drexel University. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
- ↑ "Minors in Entrepreneurship and Innovation". Drexel University Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship. Drexel University. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
- ↑ "Administration". Drexel University Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship. Drexel University. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
- ↑ "Programs". Drexel University Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship. Drexel University. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
- ↑ Wink, Christopher. "Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship: new Drexel HQ, same mission". Techical.ly Philly. TechnicallyMedia. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
- ↑ "Administration". Drexel University Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship. Drexel University. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
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