Title: Toward a multidisciplinary entrepreneurship education: a case study of the community entrepreneurship program at the University of Vermont

Authors: Qingbin Wang, Kenneth Bauer, Kathleen Liang

Addresses: 205C Morrill Hall, Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA. ' 205C Morrill Hall, Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA. ' 205C Morrill Hall, Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA

Abstract: Community entrepreneurship (CENT) is increasingly seen as an avenue for community members, entrepreneurs and policymakers to facilitate regional and local development. As such, there is a growing demand for CENT education programs, especially degree programs at colleges and universities, and, concomitantly, information and lessons from institutions and organisations that have engaged in CENT education. This paper reviews the development of an entrepreneurship program at the University of Vermont, from a concentration in small business to a major in CENT. It identifies the factors that have contributed to the growth of the program, evaluates its multidisciplinary curriculum, which focuses on experiential and service learning, summarises feedbacks from students, and provides recommendations for educational institutions and other stakeholders that are interested in developing or contributing to the development of CENT education programs. This study suggests that a multidisciplinary curriculum coupled with experiential learning as well as close collaboration with communities are key factors in a successful CENT program.

Keywords: community entrepreneurship; CENT; experiential learning; service learning; small business; regional development; University of Vermont; UVM; multidisciplinary curriculum; entrepreneurship education; higher education; universities.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIRD.2010.029856

International Journal of Innovation and Regional Development, 2010 Vol.2 No.1/2, pp.84 - 95

Published online: 02 Dec 2009 *

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