Tulane Innovation Institute and CELT to Host Summer Faculty Workshop on Integrating Entrepreneurship in the Classroom
In partnership with the Center for Engaged Learning and Teaching (CELT), Tulane University’s Innovation Institute will host a four-day summer workshop to integrate entrepreneurial methodologies across academic disciplines. Faculty participants will receive a $1,000 stipend and a new syllabus that includes innovation and entrepreneurship best practices.
The Entrepreneurship Faculty Development Course (Re)Design Summer Institute will be held at the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library from Monday, May 12 through Thursday, May 15. This program equips faculty with strategies for incorporating entrepreneurial thinking into their teaching, helping students develop practical skills and explore diverse career paths.
"By giving faculty dedicated time for this work, we ensure that their courses are built—or rebuilt—from the ground up, with entrepreneurial frameworks seamlessly embedded into the curriculum rather than tacked on as an extra module. This intentional focus on instructional design leads to a more cohesive and impactful learning experience for students," remarked Toni Weiss, Executive Director of the Center for Engaged Learning & Teaching (CELT), and Lawrence M.v.D. Schloss Senior Professor of Practice, Department of Economics.
Dr. Eric Liguori, PhD Jim Moran Professor and Associate Dean at Florida State University’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, an expert in entrepreneurship pedagogy, will lead the workshop. As Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Small Business Management, he has collaborated with universities, corporations, and governments on entrepreneurship education. Notably, he partnered with Hewlett-Packard to launch the Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs, which has provided over 2.5 million courses worldwide. A past president of the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE), he was named USASBE’s Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year in 2023. Liguori holds a Ph.D. in Entrepreneurship from Louisiana State University and an MBA from the University of South Florida.
In the workshop, faculty will learn to guide students in identifying opportunities, developing solutions, and implementing strategies in any field. For instance, literature professors might introduce digital publishing as a tool for sharing student work, chemistry faculty could explore commercial research applications, and foreign language instructors may help students identify global business opportunities. These methods equip students with valuable skills applicable to any industry.
"By integrating entrepreneurial frameworks into their courses, faculty can create dynamic learning environments and develop students' creative problem-solving skills," said Kimberly Gramm, PhD, David and Marion Mussafer Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer at the Tulane Innovation Institute. "This approach helps students succeed, whether they join established organizations or launch their own ventures."
Throughout the workshop, faculty will gain practical tools to refine syllabi and enhance teaching methods, focusing on measurable outcomes and real-world applications. Guest speakers will discuss the New Orleans entrepreneurial ecosystem, available resources, Tulane alumni success stories, and insights from experts in university commercialization. The program will also help faculty build connections across disciplines. Applications are due by April 1, and selected participants will be notified by April 15. Learn more and apply here.
