The entrepreneurship program at Rhodes offers a comprehensive blend of academic rigor, practical experience, and community engagement designed to cultivate entrepreneurial skills among our students.
Key offerings include the Entrepreneurship for All (EFA) club, which organizes workshops, speaker events, and networking sessions, and the annual Rhodes College Venture Challenge, a business pitch competition that provides students with real-world experience and networking opportunities. Three classes are offered through the Department of Business. The Entrepreneurship Center located at Barret Library serves as the hub for innovation and collaboration, including club meetings, classes, and other programming.
Under the leadership of Eric Mathews, the Entrepreneur-in-Residence, the program has revitalized entrepreneurship on campus, expanding course offerings and providing mentorship to students, thereby enriching our students and creating economic opportunity.
Entrepreneurship is now a core part of the curriculum at Rhodes, with courses designed to take business ideas from concept to market. The offerings through the Department of Business are taught in the fall and the spring and are open to all students. The courses include:
BUS 125: Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Introduces foundational principles and practices of entrepreneurship.
BUS 126: Applications of Entrepreneurship
Focuses on the practical application of entrepreneurial concepts.
BUS 265: Apprenticeship in Entrepreneurship
Provides hands-on experience and mentorship in launching and managing a business.
The Entrepreneurship for All (EFA) club is a dynamic, inclusive, and innovative student organization dedicated to fostering the entrepreneurial spirit among students at Rhodes. The club serves aspiring student entrepreneurs by providing a platform to explore business ideas, gain valuable insights, and develop essential skills.
Activities:
The Rhodes College Venture Challenge is an annual business pitch competition that empowers student entrepreneurs. Participants present innovative solutions to real-world problems and compete for significant prizes. This event is a cornerstone of our entrepreneurship program, providing students with a platform to showcase their ideas and receive valuable feedback from experienced judges.
Goals:
Located within the Barret Library, the Rhodes College Entrepreneurship Center is designed to foster creativity and entrepreneurship among students and faculty. This innovative space features co-working for brainstorming and team projects and presentation space for pitching ideas and hosting events. Whether you're refining your business plan, meeting with mentors, or attending a workshop, the Entrepreneur Center provides the context needed to turn your entrepreneurial aspirations into reality.
Eric Mathews, a Rhodes alumnus and CEO of Start Co., serves as the Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR). With over two decades of experience supporting startups, Mathews has been instrumental in revitalizing Rhodes' entrepreneurship program. He supports the EFA club, oversees the Venture Challenge, and enhances academic offerings.
“The educational landscape of Rhodes College has been enriched by these important activities, which will create new economic opportunities for our students, faculty, and the broader community. We invite you to join us in expanding these efforts in the coming years, believing that this added dimension to the liberal arts will serve Rhodes College for generations to come.”
–Eric Mathews
Students, alumni, and community members can engage with the entrepreneurship program by joining the EFA club, attending events, or mentoring.
For more information, please contact Eric Mathews at mathewse@rhodes.edu