Introducing the USASBE Faith+Entrepreneurship SIG
New things are coming to USASBE in the new year, and the first of them is the Faith+Entrepreneurship SIG! The new SIG will be led by Jen Bennett of Miami University, Priscilla James of Baylor University, and Ariel Smith of Wake Forest University. To introduce members to the new SIG and to understand what it’s all about, we sat down with Jen Bennett for a quick Q&A. At the end, we also discuss the future of SIGs at USASBE.
Q: What inspired the Faith+Entrepreneurship SIG?
A: The inspiration for the Faith + Entrepreneurship SIG comes directly from the research. 80% of the world’s population claim a faith affiliation, 69% of college students identify as religious, and recent estimates indicate there are 180+ million faith-driven entrepreneurs globally.
These numbers tell a clear story: faith matters to a significant portion of the people we teach, study, and support in higher education. The SIG was created to intentionally step into this opportunity and provide a space where faith and entrepreneurship can be explored together with rigor, curiosity, and practical relevance.
Q: Who is the Faith+Entrepreneurship SIG for?
A: The Faith + Entrepreneurship Special Interest Group (SIG) at the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) brings together higher education researchers, educators, and program leaders who are exploring the intersection of faith and entrepreneurship. While faith is expressed through diverse traditions and perspectives, it often plays a meaningful role in how individuals pursue purpose, opportunity, and transformation through entrepreneurial activity.
This SIG serves faculty, administrators, and doctoral students by creating space for open dialogue, research collaboration, and shared learning around how faith informs entrepreneurial thinking, teaching, and practice. Members engage with one another as they integrate faith and entrepreneurship across research, curriculum, and co-curricular experiences in higher education.
The Faith + Entrepreneurship SIG is an exploration of how faith impacts entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education. It is not affiliated with any one faith tradition and does not require participants to be followers of any faith.
Q: How can I get involved in the Faith+Entrepreneurship SIG?
A: There are a few easy ways to get involved:
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Complete our brief interest survey by clicking the button below:
Complete the Survey -
Note your interest in the SIG on your USASBE profile
View the instructions on how to join a SIG here -
Join us in Salt Lake City for the USASBE Annual Conference (February 18–21).
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If you plan to attend USASBE 2026 and would like to be among our inaugural members, we would love to have you. During the conference, we’ll host opportunities to connect, including informal meetups, collaborative conversations, and a potential campus visit to BYU. Additional details will be shared with those who express interest.
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Attend our first official Faith + Entrepreneurship SIG gathering as part of the USASBE SIG Summit Day on Thursday, February 19 (during the day before the opening reception).
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If you have any questions or want to connect directly, please reach out:
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Jen Bennett, Ed.D
benne183@miamioh.edu
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On the horizon: The future of SIGs at USASBE
The new Faith+Entrepreneurship SIG is just one of many opportunities USASBE is bringing to our members in the new year. Our other existing SIGs are in full swing offering events to members year-round. Further, USASBE leadership is working on a new formal process for proposing and starting new SIGs, allowing members to come together based on their shared interests.
Many SIGs will also be hosting sessions at the official USASBE SIG Summit Day, taking place on Thursday, February 19 as part of USASBE 2026 in Salt Lake City. Register for the conference and book your hotel so you can join us for these exciting sessions.