Delali Dzirasa
Computer Engineering 2004, UMBC

Affiliation: I was involved in a start-up company located in the Idea Lab in the techcenter@UMBC. I also participated in a number of activities that the Center offers including the Speaker Series, credit and non-credit courses, Techpreneur Tours and TechNite.

Opportunities: The Center was able to open many doors for me. One highlight was being able to meet and shadow Aris Melissaratos, former Maryland Secretary for Business and Economic Development and meet former Lt. Governor Michael Steele as a result. Meeting Robert Baruch, UMBC alumnus and Center board member, opened the door to full-time employment following graduation.

Importance of the Center: Small businesses comprise over 99% of all firms in the U.S. and every one of them was started by an entrepreneur. Having a Center for Entrepreneurship at UMBC capitalizes on the existing strengths of a strong university with bright and driven students and exposes them to business principles and ideas they might not know about otherwise. Through the Center, they have access to an awesome pool of resources and the opportunity for strong and lasting relationships.

Greg Barnhill
Partner, Brown Advisory Securities
Chairman, External Advisory Board

Affiliation: I have been a member of the External Advisory Board since its inception and moved into the role of chairman in July 2005.

Objective: The Alex. Brown gift was made to assist UMBC in creating a unique educational experience with positive outcomes for students, UMBC, new enterprise development and a contribution to the Maryland economy. A tall order but possible, considering the dynamism of UMBC.

Importance of the Center: The Center enables those participants to move beyond tactical learning to strategic development and implementation. Businesses can use the Center to problem solve, wrestle with selected issues, groom leadership, affect cultural change and remain committed to the Maryland economy.

Ben Zheng, Ph.D.
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, UMBC

Affilation: I am a research associate at UMBC. I also plan to launch my own biotech company in the near future.

Objective: I attended the Intro to Entrepreneurship course because I wanted to gain experience in the business side of my research. The course featured several successful entrepreneurs as speakers and the experiences and stories they shared provided good insights and advice for me.

Importance of the Center: Through the Center, students have the opportunity to focus on their future and learn what is required of an entrepreneur. The Center remains a resource for them once they have started their businesses. And the fellow students they meet along the way also continue as a source of support and information.

William LaCourse
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UMBC

Affiliation: Professor of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty Fellow, and CEO Club Advisor

Objective: We all have within us the power to change the world, and the CEO Club is a much needed venue for students to meet and share ideas, hopes and aspirations. Members connect with successful entrepreneurs, practice the tools of success, and learn the art of invention. Whether a fledgling art gallery or an up-and-coming biotech start-up, the CEO Club allows our students to achieve their dreams.

Importance of Entrepreneurship: Every great invention, movement, or accomplishment begins with a single idea that someone had the courage to put into action. Entrepreneurism empowers an individual to act upon their idea, organize and manage its implementation, and carry it through even in the face of adversity.

David Bach
President, Scientific Products & Systems

"I have enjoyed seeing the growth in our new student hires as they transition from doing homework assignments to career work."

Affiliation: SP&S jointly developed with UMBC faculty a proprietary precision dispensing system for the pharmaceutical markets. The company has also enjoyed an affiliation with the Center by offering part-time and full-time employment to UMBC students.

Interaction: I have enjoyed seeing the growth in our new student hires as they transition from doing homework assignments to career work. SP&S has hired several students into key roles in the company and have presented them with a "roadmap" for entrepreneurship.

Importance of the Center: The path to entrepreneurship needs to be developed in each new career. The Center provides an avenue to outside experience through its programs and therefore encourages a blending of years of experience with new roles filled by students. Its programs offer an opportunity for students to see the workings of entrepreneurship from growth and observation.