Wendy Bolger, the founding director of Loyola University Maryland’s Simon Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, has been recognized for her outstanding work in entrepreneurship education. Bolger received the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Teaching and Pedagogical Innovation award from the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers for her role in developing the Applied Angel Investing class at the Simon Center.
The Applied Angel Investing class at the Simon Center is a transformative experience for students, allowing them to recommend Baltimore ventures for $20,000 investments from the Loyola Angels Fund. This fund, established in 2021, supports local under-resourced entrepreneurs, particularly minority- and women-owned businesses in Baltimore. Students in the class attend pitch meetings, analyze companies, and learn about early-stage investing, fund formation, risk management, and valuation models.
Bolger expressed her excitement about the impact of the class, stating that it benefits students in terms of learning and career prospects, founders who receive investment and partnership, jobseekers in the city who benefit from company growth, and donors to the Loyola Angels Fund looking to make a tangible impact on the ecosystem. The pedagogical innovation developed in partnership with collaborators has been recognized by the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Teaching and Pedagogical Innovation award.
The award celebrates centers that have made significant, original innovations in entrepreneurship education, delivering measurable learning outcomes, fostering strong student engagement, and garnering meaningful stakeholder support. The Simon Center’s hands-on, experiential learning opportunities tailored to underserved entrepreneurs have set them apart in the field of entrepreneurship education.
The award was presented at the annual conference of Rice University’s Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers, which aims to advance, strengthen, and celebrate the role universities play in educating future entrepreneurs. Out of 368 universities in attendance, 16 were awarded top honors in nine categories, highlighting the excellence and innovation in entrepreneurship education across the globe.
Loyola University Maryland’s Sellinger School of Business and Management, where the Simon Center is housed, offers a renowned Jesuit business education known for its scholarship, ethical leadership, and tradition of excellence. With a wide range of undergraduate majors, minors, and graduate programs, including MBA and Master of Accounting programs, Sellinger School prepares students for success in the business world.
In conclusion, Wendy Bolger’s leadership and innovation in entrepreneurship education at the Simon Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship have been recognized with the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Teaching and Pedagogical Innovation award. The Applied Angel Investing class and the Loyola Angels Fund are making a significant impact on the Baltimore entrepreneurial ecosystem, benefiting students, founders, jobseekers, and donors alike.
