Carson-Newman University launching new entrepreneurial specialization MBA
It consists of three classes beyond the core MBA courses: Entrepreneurial Leadership, Competitive Advantage through Product Development, and Competitive Advantage through Market Analysis.
Carson-Newman University is launching a new specialization in Entrepreneurial Leadership within its existing MBA program, and the person leading the effort is an entrepreneur herself.
“I was born as an entrepreneur,” Dr. Robin Van Huss says. “I always had side hustles like selling jewelry and antiques.” Today, she and her husband are the organizers of the Wytheville (VA) UFO Fest that drew 4,000 attendees this past June.
Her day job, however, is as an Associate Professor of Management at the Jefferson City-based university and Director of the new, three-course specialization that is designed to prepare students to become effective leaders in entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial environments. The specialization focuses on developing skills such as innovation, risk-taking, and opportunity identification.
“What sets our specialization apart from other programs is a unique Christian perspective and an opportunity to learn from entrepreneurs,” Van Huss explains.
The Entrepreneurial Leadership (ENTL) MBA specialization consists of three classes beyond the core MBA courses: Entrepreneurial Leadership, Competitive Advantage through Product Development, and Competitive Advantage through Market Analysis.
“The new offering will encourage our students to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset characterized by a willingness to take risks, a propensity to act, and a focus on innovation,” Van Huss says. “This mindset is essential in today’s business landscape, where businesses need to be agile and adaptable to stay competitive.”
The online specialization classes will be capped at 20 students each. Two are offered in Fall Semester, and the third is scheduled in the spring term.
The admission requirement for Carson-Newman’s ENTL MBA specialization consists of completion of nine hours in the MBA program with good academic standing. A panel of experts and leaders must also interview potential students to assess their commitment, passion, and drive from an entrepreneurial standpoint.
An anonymous donor to Carson-Newman has contributed funding for the new specialization.
“I might be biased because I am also the owner of a small business, but the practical experience from a mix of professors and guest speakers provides a unique insight into the challenges and opportunities facing entrepreneurs today,” Van Huss said in a Carson-Newman news release.
The Entrepreneurial Leadership specialization can be completed in as few as 16 months and is easily adjusted to suit individual student needs and time constraints.
As far as her interest in UFOs, the Bristol native, who still resides there and commutes to Jefferson City, explained that she comes by it naturally. Her father was a Star Trek fan, and her husband has written several books on the topic.
Van Huss joined Carson-Newman as an adjunct in 2018 and became a full-time faculty member three years ago.
Those interested in learning more or applying for admission to the program can be admissions@cn.edu.
