College Receives $1 Million to Bolster Entrepreneurship Program
Funding will establish a new endowed Chair of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Washington College is expanding its commitment to fostering economic development thanks to a $1 million grant from the Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative (MEI). The College will match the grant, bringing the total investment to $2 million to establish a new Chair of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
"With this Chair, Washington College will expand its ongoing efforts with Chestertown and the surrounding Kent and Queen Anne's Counties to provide economic development opportunities," said Provost and Dean Kiho Kim. "We deeply appreciate this generous support, which will not only strengthen the College's entrepreneurship program but also create an innovative and inclusive space to bring the community together in the spirit of collaboration."
This endowed chair will play a key role in strengthening Washington's existing entrepreneurship minor program. The chair holder will:
- Share Expertise: Possess a strong background in behavioral science and contribute valuable knowledge to the program's curriculum.
- Empower Students: Lead courses and supervise student research focused on identifying and pursuing commercially viable ideas.
- Drive Innovation: Focus on local and regional economic development by identifying marketable opportunities within the community.
- Build Bridges: Forge collaborative relationships with both on and off-campus programs to promote and support entrepreneurial activity, as well as develop internship opportunities.
The MEI grant program is designed to spur basic and applied research in scientific and technical fields at Maryland colleges and universities. Five Maryland colleges and universities received a combined $17.9 million. The MEI program requires institutions to raise matching funds, bringing the total investment to over $36 million.
Washington College's new Chair of Entrepreneurship and Innovation exemplifies this program's commitment to fostering economic development through innovative education initiatives.
More information on the entrepreneurship minor as well as other resources and funding available can be found throughout the Deparment of Business Management's webpages.
- Dominique Ellis Falcon