Progress Report for The Thomas Family Center for

Progress Report for The Thomas Family Center for Entrepreneurship July, 2011

History of the TFCE • • Center Opened (2006) First Summit (2007) Dr. Menefee and Dr. Calabrese (2007) Mrs. Queen (2008) Certificate and Minor Programs (2008) Concentration Program (2009) MBA Track (2010)

University Student Impact • Certificate Program approved by 21 major fields of study (18 different majors in program) • Certificate, minor, and concentration grow to over 100 students • Partnership with Music Department in Music Business Program • Partnership with Independent Studies Program

University Research Impact • Music Business program gets research assistance from TFCE grant • Biotechnology Laboratory gets microscope and camera from TFCE grant • Bee technology gets money for hives • TFCE and Biotechnology Center work on developments in agricultural research • Journal articles, proceedings, and books

Community Impact • TFCE consults with local businesses • Entrepreneurial summits in Robeson and Moore Counties • Partnership with community colleges-Robeson, Sandhills, Richmond, Bladen, Southeastern, Cape Fear, Fayetteville • Partnership with local development groups. Chambers of Commerce, BRAC, Partners in Progress, RTDA, Sandhills Entrepreneurial Leadership, Entrepreneurship Alliance

State Impact Partnerships • • North Carolina Treasurer North Carolina Department of Commerce North Carolina REAL North Carolina Council on Economic Education • Carolina Entrepreneurs • University Entrepreneurship Summit of North Carolina

National Recognitions • Global Consortium For Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC) (2007) • National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA) (2009) • Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ASBE)-Outstanding Research Paper Award (2009) • Awarded NCIIA/Lemelson Foundation Grant (2010)

National Recognitions Continued • United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship-Session at National Meeting on UNCP Entrepreneurship Program (2011) • NCIIA National Conference (2011) • Dr. Menefee served as judge for the National Idea to Product Competition (2008 -2010) and for the National IDEA Competition (2011)

The Future of the TFCE • • • Consulting with area businesses Summit for entrepreneurship education Program growth at UNCP Programs at community colleges K-12 initiative with NC REAL and NCCEE Research in program development, business development, and rural outsourcing

The Future of the TFCE Continued • Transitioning community college students into UNCP students • Transitioning UNCP students into area entrepreneurs • Building financial resources in the community for entrepreneurs • Creating an incubator for small business development • Grant funding for programs and research