Named "Best Program in Social Entrepreneurship" by the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC) in 2012
Center for Social Entrepreneurship
Miami University's Center for Social Entrepreneurship creates hands-on, experiential learning opportunities for undergraduates and strives to give students the tools they need to leave their mark on the world. The Center defines social entrepreneurship as "innovative solutions to persistent social problems - particularly to those that are marginalized or poor - that create social value through sustainable, systemic change." These social problems include a wide range of sectors - financial, educational, environmental, governmental, nutritional, and many others. The Center challenges students to think about these issues, both in the U.S. and around the world, and provides them with the tools to address them in a meaningful way.
Center for Social Entrepreneurship Highlights Include:
Recipient of more than $650,000 in federal grants for social entrepreneurship programs with international scholars through the U.S. Department of State
Two-time winner of the "Innovation in Social Entrepreneurship" award by ASHOKA
Inaugural winner of the "3E Learning Award in Social Entrepreneurship" for pedagogical innovation at the Skoll World Forum
Social Impact Fund
Established at Miami University in 2018 and led by the Department of Entrepreneurship’s Center for Social Entrepreneurship, the Social Impact Fund is one of the only undergraduate-led funds of its kind in the nation. In partnership with Flywheel a social entrepreneurship accelerator in Cincinnati, the student team will have an opportunity to make investments in the social impact ventures that comprise Flywheel’s cohort of “Elevator”.
This unique relationship between Flywheel and Miami’s Social Impact Fund will create deal flow for the fund of vetted, investable social startups and will provide the early-stage funding needed for those startups as well as other social startups identified by the student team. By participating, students will be equipped with high-level skills and real-world learning in social impact investing and will create a portfolio of impact investments for Miami University.
Social Impact News:
Altman Institute for Entrepreneurship to Pilot MIINT Undergrad Program
MicroConsignment Initiative
One of the Center for Social Entrepreneurship’s winning innovations is its MicroConsignment Initiative, developed in partnership with Miami alumnus and prominent social entrepreneur, Greg Van Kirk. Van Kirk’s organization helps individuals in Base-of-the-Pyramid, developing markets become micro-entrepreneurs who sell essential products and services to others in their communities.
These products include water purification buckets, eyeglasses, solar lamps and wood-burning stoves. Students have the opportunity to apply entrepreneurial business practices through Social Entrepreneur Corps, where they assist in the MircoConsignment efforts in Guatemala, Ecuador, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic/Haiti.
Council on Social Entrepreneurship (COSE)
The Council on Social Entrepreneurship (COSE) is a student organization for students who are interested in maximizing social impact through business. COSE provides students with opportunities to learn about the social entrepreneurship space through guest speakers, networking opportunities, client projects and workshops. Our members have access to a network of distinguished social entrepreneurs, career development opportunities, unique client experience, faculty mentorship, and a community of socially driven peers. We believe in using our entrepreneurial mindset and skillset to create social values and make a positive impact.
Leading the Integration of Faith and Entrepreneurship (L.I.F.E.) Research Lab
L.I.F.E. (Leading the Integration of Faith and Entrepreneurship) was established at Miami University in 2018, led by the John W. Altman Institute for Entrepreneurship’s Center for Social Entrepreneurship. The goal is to provide practically relevant, academically rigorous knowledge at the intersection of faith and entrepreneurship. It includes the L.I.F.E Research Lab, the L.I.F.E. Research Conference, the L.I.F.E. academic course, and the L.I.F.E. student group.
Social Innovation Weekend
The department’s Social Innovation Weekend is a partnership with Miami University’s Global Health Studies and Social Work Programs. Social Innovation Weekend is a 48-hour weekend event that integrates key public and private stakeholder organizations at the state, county, and local city-level with students to solve significant societal issues like infant mortality and opioid addiction.
Moving forward, SIW is extending its reach to partner with other programs across campus such as Miami University’s Institute for Sustainability and the Environment and the Institute for Food, and with ecosystem partners like Flywheel Social Accelerator.
The John W. Altman Institute for Entrepreneurship's Social Impact Fund
Social Entrepreneurship
Farmer School of Business Department of Entrepreneurship
2078 Farmer School of Business
800 East High Street
Oxford, OH 45056
