Hamilton Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership one of 20 centers worldwide recognized by AACSB

AACSB International, the world’s largest global education network, has recognized Bowling Green State University’s College of Business Administration for its commitment to creating and incubating cutting-edge business innovations and fostering entrepreneurship in the next generation of business leaders. BGSU is the only entrepreneurship center in Ohio, and one of just 20 entrepreneurship centers around the globe, to earn this distinction.

“Our faculty and staff in the College of Business Administration are dedicated to transforming lives and preparing the next generation of business leaders through education, research and service,” said Mary Ellen Mazey, Ph.D., president of BGSU. “We are extremely proud of this recognition for the work they are doing.”

BGSU was recognized for its Hamilton Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, which is one of the region’s premier entrepreneurial resources. The Center is best known for The Hatch, based on the show Shark Tank. This entrepreneurial immersion program is open to BGSU students and their business ideas. Finalists enroll in a 10-week curriculum, which takes students through the entrepreneurial experience, from customer discovery to venture launch. It all comes together on one night in April, when alumni mentors and investors join the finalists to decide whose business ideas earn funding.

“We are honored that AACSB has recognized the incredible work that happens here every day with our faculty, staff and students,” Raymond Braun, dean of the College of Business Administration, said. “The Hamilton Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership’s programs have positively impacted this region and even reached overseas through live-streaming of The Hatch. The best part is that we are just getting started; this program continues to grow in demand, and employers tell us they love to see prospective employees with experiences like ours.”

In its inaugural year, AACSB’s Entrepreneurship Spotlight Challenge highlights AACSB-accredited schools that deliver innovative and creative best practices through a range of distinctive entrepreneurship programs, or through a variety of impactful center formats.

Accredited schools were invited to submit one example of how they demonstrate a unique commitment to student learning, while providing opportunities for students to gain the skills required to be successful in business – whether it’s in a startup or within a world-renowned corporation. Central to the challenge was uncovering schools’ unique approaches to engaging the business community, expanding the reach of education beyond the classroom and positively impacting society. 

A total of 120 nominations were submitted by AACSB-accredited schools across 34 countries, all of which highlighted unique approaches to fostering and developing entrepreneurship in undergraduate and graduate students. As part of the selection process, the nominations were reviewed by a panel of corporate leaders from a variety of disciplines, including venture capital, consulting, and accounting. Core to the Collective Vision for the industry, AACSB supports the collaboration of business practice with business education. By integrating the perspectives of business professionals into the selection process, relevant impact could be identified.