{"id":16904,"date":"2016-11-18T10:39:44","date_gmt":"2016-11-18T15:39:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/college.sites.unc.edu\/?p=16904"},"modified":"2024-07-02T16:30:03","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T16:30:03","slug":"e-minor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/collegearchive.unc.edu\/?p=16904","title":{"rendered":"Exposing students to real-world experience"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Entrepreneur-in-residence
Entrepreneur-in-residence Jan Davis addresses students in the class Econ 325: \u201cPrinciples + Practice,\u201d which focuses on core entrepreneurial skills including the art of innovation, creative design, customer development and team dynamics. (photo by Kristen Chavez)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The comment that Charles Merritt, executive director of the Minor in Entrepreneurship<\/a>, gets most often from students is \u201cThis program is so different. You spend so much time with us, helping us with internships, job searches and our future careers.\u201d<\/p>\n

The five entrepreneurs-in-residence (three re-appointed, two recently hired) play a big role in connecting with students and bringing that valuable experience into the classroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe love the fact that we are in the College of Arts and Sciences. We think this is a great way to take an academic pursuit or passion and then add this layer of skills that helps you develop an entrepreneurial mindset,\u201d Merritt said. \u201cIt\u2019s a great marriage between the liberal arts and the applied\/practical. The entrepreneurs-in-residence are helping our students become better problem-solvers in the real world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Entrepreneurs-in-residence teach classes, mentor students, counsel them on internships and job opportunities, help them network and make connections, and more. They represent different industries that enhance students\u2019 exposure to the nine tracks in the minor: commercial, social, scientific, artistic, sport, public health, design, media and computer science.<\/p>\n

\"Jed
Jed Simmons is among the entrepreneurs-in-residence who teach classes, mentor students, counsel them on job opportunities and more in the Minor in Entrepreneurship. (photo by Kristen Chavez)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They bring the \u201cwow\u201d factor in terms of their experience and background, Merritt said. (And Bernard Bell, Jan Davis and Jennifer Halsey are Carolina alums).<\/p>\n

New entrepreneur-in-residence Halsey, for instance, lives in Silicon Valley and has had \u201can incredible career in investment banking and advisory services and angel investing,\u201d Merritt said. Halsey, who is also the new chair of the UNC Board of Visitors, will be the on-the-ground, entrepreneur-in-residence for the new Burch Field Research Seminar in Silicon Valley.<\/a><\/p>\n

Recently hired entrepreneur-in-residence Ed Strong of Dodger Theatricals Ltd.\/Dodger Properties is a \u201cTony Award-winning producer who has produced 30-plus Broadway shows, including Jersey Boys<\/em>,\u201d Merritt said. \u201cThe arts are an incredibly entrepreneurial endeavor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Entrepreneurs-in-residence include:<\/p>\n