At Howard University’s School of Business, entrepreneurship has become a defining part of the curriculum — one that blends classroom learning with real-world experience and community engagement.
The university’s efforts are anchored by its partnership with PNC Bank and the creation of the PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship, based at Howard. The center offers hands-on programming, mentorship and technical training not only for students but also for residents and local business owners.
“We provide programming for our students, mentoring around their entrepreneurial endeavors and technical skills,” said Vaneesha Dutra, an associate professor of finance at Howard’s School of Business. “We’re proud of the unique support systems in place that help students translate what they learn in the classroom into real-world success.”
Students in the entrepreneurship program are grouped into cohorts based on their business interests and skill sets. These small teams collaborate on projects throughout their academic journey and stay connected with alumni who provide mentorship and career guidance.
“Howard’s unique combination of rigorous curriculum and practical application ensures that our graduates are not only knowledgeable but also capable of putting their ideas into action,” Dutra said. “We can stack our students up against any institution. What makes me excited about being a professor at Howard is our adaptability and our ability to equip students quickly with technical skills.”
Robert Singh, an associate professor of management who joined Howard two years ago after two decades at Morgan State University, said the university’s emphasis on entrepreneurship aligns closely with his own research into the challenges facing Black business owners.
“The university values entrepreneurship within its business curriculum,” Singh said.
Singh’s background in engineering and private industry brings a practical perspective to his teaching, which he said complements the school’s approach of combining academic rigor with industry relevance.
“Every week there are famous entrepreneurs, politicians and business leaders speaking on campus, and I learn from my students just as I try to teach them,” Singh said.
Howard’s School of Business has also expanded its curriculum to include emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Faculty members are working with industry partners to show students how AI can streamline operations and reduce costs — tools that can be especially valuable for first-time entrepreneurs.
“Howard is preparing business leaders for tomorrow,” Dutra said. “And we’re doing it by staying responsive to the needs of industry and giving students the tools to succeed.”
The university’s focus reflects a national push among historically Black colleges and universities to strengthen entrepreneurship programs as a pathway for wealth creation and community development. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Black-owned businesses grew by nearly 20% between 2019 and 2022, the fastest among any demographic group.
This article originally appeared here.