The United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship awarded Stephen F. Austin State University’s Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship and the Nelson Rusche College of Business’ entrepreneurship academic program the Model Emerging Program Award, distinguishing them as the national gold standard for entrepreneurship programs established within the past three years. Pictured, from left, are Dr. Hollie Gammel Smith, ACE executive director of community partnerships; Dr. Raymond Jones, director of SFA’s entrepreneurship academic program; and Matt Smilor, ACE director, accepting the award.
Stephen F. Austin State University’s Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurship academic program in the Nelson Rusche College of Business were collectively named the top emerging entrepreneurship program in the country by the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
According to USASBE, the award recognizes programs that are bold, innovative and comprehensive. To receive it, a program must demonstrate outstanding progress and a record of student impact within its first three years. Judges looked for national scalability as a replicable model, evidence of early success and engagement, and innovative pedagogy that fosters an entrepreneurial mindset.
“This recognition reflects the intentional work happening across our campus to advance the goals of SFA’s strategic plan,” said Dr. Jordan Barkley, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “Entrepreneurship at SFA is a university-wide effort that brings together faculty and students from every college to foster innovation, problem-solving and value creation. This award affirms that our collaborative, applied approach is preparing students to lead in their professions and contribute meaningfully to regional transformation.”
The entrepreneurship program and ACE received the Model Emerging Program Award, which distinguishes them as the national gold standard for entrepreneurship programs established within the past three years. USASBE is considered the preeminent global organization for entrepreneurship programming, pedagogy and research, so this award places SFA at the forefront of the field, according to Matthew Smilor, ACE director.
“This recognition is a powerful validation of the countless hours and dedication poured into this initiative by SFA’s incredible faculty and staff who have worked tirelessly to build this program from the ground up,” Smilor said. “ACE has officially moved from a ‘nascent’ program to one that other universities across the nation will model.”
For the past two years, ACE and the entrepreneurship program were in USASBE’s top three emerging entrepreneurship programs, but this is the first year the center and program were awarded first place.
USASBE’s recognition reflects the rapid momentum of entrepreneurship at SFA. In a short period of time, the entrepreneurship major and minor have become one of the fastest-growing programs in the Rusche College of Business, and ACE has expanded to a campuswide initiative, driven by student demand for applied, experience-based learning and real-world opportunity.
“Everything we do is rooted in our mission to empower accessible and applied entrepreneurship for regional transformation,” said Dr. Raymond Jones, director of SFA’s entrepreneurship academic program. “We want students to discover their vision and then build the skills, confidence and connections to pursue it. Whether they are pitching, building relationships, launching or buying, students are learning by doing. This award reflects the momentum our students are creating, and it challenges us to keep expanding what’s possible for them and for the communities we serve.”
SFA’s Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows program is just one way ACE is reaching across campus. This program engages faculty members throughout the university to embed entrepreneurial content into new and existing courses. By expanding the entrepreneurial mindset beyond business classes, the program helps more students see how innovation, value creation and problem-solving translate into diverse majors and careers.
ACE also hosts multiple entrepreneurship and pitch competitions each year, such as the Pop-up Pitch Competition, Greek Pitch Fest and the Lumberjack Entrepreneurship Competition, giving students recurring opportunities to test ideas, strengthen presentation skills and receive feedback from entrepreneurs and judges. Complementing that pipeline is a robust monthly networking initiative, the Piney Woods Entrepreneurship Network, that connects students, alumni and community partners to strengthen mentorship and expand access to guidance, talent and resources.
Over the past year, ACE launched an accelerator program to support business founders and student teams as they move from early ideas to traction through structured milestones, coaching and hands-on support. The center also initiated an entrepreneurship-through-acquisition effort that is identifying regional businesses whose owners may be interested in selling and building the programming needed to prepare students to potentially become the buyers of those businesses. This creates a pathway to ownership while helping sustain local companies and communities.
For more information on SFA’s entrepreneurial offerings, visit sfasu.edu/ace.
ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY
Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 40 academic facilities, 11 residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering over 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.
By University Marketing Communications
