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SUNY Plattsburgh Entrepreneurship Program Gives Business Students An Edge

Take the Business World by Storm

Do you want to build a business unique to your desires and interests? Are you interested in taking the road less traveled? If you are, then the Entrepreneurship Program at SUNY Plattsburgh is the one for you. Entrepreneurship is not for everyone interested in joining the business world; it's for those who intend to take it by storm.

Photo of SUNY students in a classroom The Only Four-Year Program in SUNY

SUNY Plattsburgh has the only four-year Entrepreneurship Program in the SUNY system. Along with that distinction, the program is part of the School of Business and Economics that was accredited by the AACSB (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), which provides graduates of the program with a critical professional advantage."The program gives you the opportunity to focus in management, marketing or finance," said Cheryl Decker, a December 2005 graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh. "I chose to focus on management and the program gave me the freedom to design my own business program."The Entrepreneurship Program is the newest business program at Plattsburgh State, and the courses and experiential learning in the program make it attractive for students.

Tailor-Made for Students

Decker, one of the first two graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship, attests to the freedom of the program and its ability to be tailored as one of its major contributions to her education. By allowing her to create a unique experience, she was able to focus on what was important to her and therefore allowed her to better prepare for life in the business world post-graduation.The program's affiliation with the North Country SBDC (Small Business Development Center) allows the School of Business and Economics to offer students internship opportunities with a large number of local businesses and nonprofits. The unique opportunity also better prepares students for their future careers as entrepreneurs.

Giving Students an Edge

"Everyone knows that experience is what gives you the edge in any professional field," said Decker. "In my last semester, I interned for the Pyramid Management Group (PMG). The experience put me in direct contact with entrepreneurs trying to build their businesses.  The company is responsible for renting store space to business owners trying to expand their businesses. It gave me incredible insight into the life of a small-business owner and what goes into making a business succeed."The internship translated into a promising career for Decker when PMG hired her as a specialty leasing representative immediately following graduation."Among the students at SUNY Plattsburgh there is a great entrepreneurial spirit," said Dr. Nancy Church, chair of the Department of Marketing and Entrepreneurship. "Over the years I have noticed that a lot of our marketing and business graduates enter the professional world gaining their first experience working for others and ultimately become true and successful entrepreneurs."

Creating Entrepreneurs of the Future

According to Church, the program, which is only two years old, is rapidly expanding. "The program addresses a real need," said Church. "Students gain the confidence to pursue their business dreams. One of the major contributing factors is that the program is grounded in experiential learning."Coupled with the internship opportunities, the program benefits from the presence of SUNY Plattsburgh's award-winning Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) chapter. Each year, the student members of SIFE, led by Dr. James Csipak, associate professor, develop projects to promote free enterprise. This year, the group will host and organize seminars to provide training for women who want to open their own businesses.The Entrepreneurship Program offers hands-on learning opportunities along with a strong foundation in educational practices and is designed to create the leading entrepreneurs of the future.

Contact Information

If you would like more information about the Entrepreneurship Program at SUNY Plattsburgh State, or to arrange a campus visit, please contact:Dr. Nancy Church, Chairperson
Office: Redcay Hall 172
Phone: 518-564-4169
E-mail: [email protected]

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