St. Michael’s Catholic Academy is a college preparatory school founded by laity within the Diocese of Austin to serve a diverse student body. Combining academic excellence with faith formation and co-curricular learning opportunities, St. Michael’s prepares the whole student for leadership, service and decision-making consistent with Catholic values.
Leadership, Service, and Ethical Decision-making St. Michael's Catholic Academy
3000 Barton Creek Blvd. Austin, TX 78735 512.328.2323 www.smca.com st. michael's catholic academy
Entrepreneurship Center for Economic and Social Innovation Leadership, Service, and Ethical Decision-making The Entrepreneurship Center for Economic and Social Innovation at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy (SMCA) is dedicated to fostering the entrepreneurial spirit of our students while providing guidance on how to use their newfound entrepreneurial skills for the betterment of humankind. The overall goal of the center is to motivate emerging leaders to become agents of change who will improve society by solving the world’s problems through for-profit or nonprofit businesses. The core values of our student businesses rests on Christian principles. Within this process, each student will be encouraged to uncover his or her special gifts, talents and deepest desires to make a profound difference in the world. The overall goal of the center is to motivate students as emerging leaders to become agents of change, who improve society by solving the world’s problems through for-profit or nonprofit businesses. The SMCA Entrepreneurship Center for Economic and Social Innovation has core focus areas: • Introduction to Entrepreneurship Course (classroom education) • Philanthropic Education and Service-Learning (community service projects) • Business Plan Competitions (mastery) • Internships (mastery)
Course Offered Fall and Spring: Introduction to Entrepreneurship (.5 Credits) Prerequisite: Elective for juniors or seniors
The Introduction to Entrepreneurship course emphasizes learning through experiences. Students participate in experiential learning opportunities that allow them to develop a solid foundation of basic entrepreneurial principles including understanding the role of the entrepreneur, conducting business ethically, creating and leading companies that advance social change through innovative solutions, and learning principles of marketing, economics, human resources, selling, financing and business management. Classroom instruction will be varied to include case studies, lecture-discussion, group projects, videos, role-playing, decision-making exercises, and guest speakers from the business community. Students are also empowered through philanthropy education and service learning projects to become more engaged in improving their communities and world through his or her gifts of time, talent, and treasure. The final capstone project will require students to create formal business plans for an actual business start-up and present their business ventures to a panel of successful Austin entrepreneurs and investors.
Our Partners: Door Number 3 The Law Office of Melissa S. Roush PLLC Saitas and Seales Digby Tonor Supply Group Baby Earth LaLa’s Lemonade
A Legacy of Giving ThunderCloud Subs Digilife Empower Students of Texas Wheatfield Therapy White Glove House Call Health
HOW TO REGISTER TO BE IN THE PROGRAM The Entrepreneurship Center for Economic and Social Innovation is looking for motivated students to become involved and learn what it takes to become successful business owners and marketers. If you’re looking for an exciting journey that will prepare you for your future, contact Susan Maher, Director of the Entrepreneurship Center at 512.328.2323 or email smaher@smca.com.
Call today to find out when you can start
making a difference!