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GRANT AWARDS
GRANT AWARDS NCCU School of Business Receives $400K Knowledge
Challenge Grant to study racial equity in entrepreneurship
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DURHAM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University School of Business will launch an Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Research Clinic & Lab to expand the pipeline of minority entrepreneurs thanks to a fouryear, $400,000 grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
The clinic and lab, led by principal investigator and School of Business director of entrepreneurship Henry McKoy, Ph.D., will support entrepreneurs and communities. creating more equitable entrepreneurial and business ecosystems across the United States, while diversifying the entrepreneurial research pipeline. The project also will launch a national database to provide a better understanding of how to spur successful, diverse entrepreneurship, specifically in the African American community.
“The racial wealth gap in the U.S. and globally is growing, and more so as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” McKoy said.
“We see the inequalities all around us. There has never been a more important time in our society than now to create a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable economy. Entrepreneurship is a key foundation of that. These resources will allow NCCU, our students, and our faculty to be at the forefront of that intellectual and applied work, both locally and nationally.”
The funding was provided through the Kauffman Foundation’s Knowledge Challenge program and is one of only 13 such grants awarded in the United States.
The Kauffman Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation that supports entrepreneurship and education nationwide to increase opportunities that allow all people to learn, to take risks, and achieve success. The funding will support fellowships for 100 undergraduate students and 12 faculty members across different disciplines at NCCU. Student fellows will engage in important research focused on improving entrepreneurial and economic equity in Durham and across the United States. Faculty fellows will learn to integrate entrepreneurial research into their disciplines and lead a sub-group of undergraduate entrepreneurial research fellows.
DIRECTOR OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP/LECTURER
Dr. Henry McKoy
Workshops also will be developed to introduce additional faculty members to entrepreneurial research. In addition, 40 summer internships will afford students the opportunity to return to their hometowns and other communities to work with local governments to examine the degree of equity present in municipal entrepreneurial ecosystems.
“North Carolina Central University, the School of Business and the greater Durham community are uniquely positioned to synthesize and grow the body of knowledge in entrepreneurship research and therefore substantially spur economic growth and development during this transitional period,” said Anthony Nelson, Ph.D., dean of the NCCU School of Business. “As the economy rebounds, the support from The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation will present us with the tools and resources needed to ensure we are building programs that strengthen, grow and sustain diverse and scalable business opportunities for our community.”
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s Knowledge Challenge is a biannual program that invites proposals for research activities aimed at improving basic understanding of entrepreneurs, as well as the levers, tools, and methods that can advance entrepreneurship in the United States. The Knowledge Challenge is open to proposals from those conducting research in universities and other academic institutions, laboratories, companies, nonprofit organizations, and as individuals. The goal of the Knowledge Challenge is to produce tangible insights for entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship program and policy design, business leaders, and researchers.
North Carolina Central University prepares students to succeed in the global marketplace. Consistently ranked as a top Historically Black College or University and regional university in the south, NCCU offers flagship programs in the sciences, education, law, business, nursing, and the arts. Founded in 1910, NCCU remains committed to diversity in and access to higher education. Our alumni excel in a wide variety of academic and professional fields. NCCU is a constituent institution of the University North Carolina System. The university’s Strategic Plan 2019-2024, “Charting a New Landscape for Student-Center Success,” has four goals: student access and success; innovation, research, and entrepreneurship; collaboration and partnerships; and institutional sustainability. VISIT WWW.NCCU.EDU.
Receives PwC Digital Engagement Award
Understanding the importance of continuously improving technology curriculum in an ever-evolving cyber universe, NCCU Business, CIS Professor, Dr. Alisha Malloy, saw this award as a great opportunity to introduce students to a resource designed to enhance their tech awareness and digital fitness. The PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Data Fitness App (DFA) is an industry app that has collections of information on the latest technologies, digital disruptions, and how technology impacts business strategy. The award grants $10,000 to support resources for students to be able to stay informed, engaged, and aware of digital trends.
This proposal has a three-prong approach:
First, during the Fall 2020 semester, the PwC Digital Fitness App will be piloted in one section of CIS 2400 – Fundamentals in Information Systems and CSB 2000 – Introduction to Computer Science and Business. Students will use the PwC DFA to determine their baseline Digital Fitness score. The classes will have Voice and Choice graded assignments that students will be able to select Fitness Plan and Topics to further their digital fitness and continue their lifelong learning with technology. After the Fall 2020 semester the students will complete a survey to determine their use and experience with PwC DFA to determine if it can be implemented in all sections of CIS 2400 and CSB 2000.
Second, during the Fall 2020 semester, students in CSB 2000 and CIS 4600 – System Analysis and Design will engage in Design Thinking and Agile Methodology Training utilizing the PwC DFA and other resources. This will enable our majors and select faculty in become Digital Technology Ambassadors within the School of Business, NCCU and our community.
Finally, during the Spring 2021 semester, the Digital Technology Ambassadors will develop real-world projects for external clients; be engaged in the analysis and research of the impact of the integration of PwC DFA into the curriculum; and/or start and complete industry certifications.
“Our students are always using apps, why not give them one that will not only improve their digital literacy in the class but will also make them lifelong learners with technology well after the class is over,” said Dr. Malloy.
