USASBE Announces 2026 Excellence in Entrepreneurship Education Award Winners
University of Tulsa, University of St. Thomas, Stephen F. Austin State University, Butler University, Deakin University, Iowa State University, University of Florida, and Propeller receive honors at USASBE 2026.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT -- The United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) announced the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Education Award recipients during USASBE 2026 held in Salt Lake City, Utah in February.
As USASBE’s top program honors, the USASBE Excellence in Entrepreneurship Education Awards recognize bold and innovative programs making an impact in the field of entrepreneurship education. The Model Programs (large and small institutions) and Model Emerging and Re-Emerging Program Awards honor colleges and universities with comprehensive, high-quality educational programs that successfully train future generations of entrepreneurs. The Excellence in Pedagogical Innovation and Excellence in Co-Curricular Innovation Awards recognize institutions with creative, high-quality, sustainable, and impactful courses and co-curricular programs in entrepreneurship education. The Model University Accelerator/Incubator and Model Community Accelerator/Incubator Awards recognize collegiate and community programs that help young entrepreneurs develop their ideas into viable and even scalable businesses.
“These decisions are definitely not easy to make when considering the high quality applications that we receive each year,” said Dr. Krystal Geyer, 2026 Awards Chair. “The award review panels heavily debate the merits of each program during the process and the decision as to which program’s name goes on the plaque often comes down to the smallest of details. The difficulty in making these decisions is a testament to the incredible work our colleagues across the nation and world are doing.”
Recipients of this year’s awards were:
Model Program Award-Small Institution: Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, University of Tulsa
Model Program Award-Large Institution: Schulze School of Entrepreneurship, University of St. Thomas
Model Emerging Program Award: Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship, Stephen F. Austin State University
Model Re-Emerging Program Award: Butler Entrepreneurship, Lacy School of Business
Excellence in Pedagogical Innovation Award: Business Development Clinic, Deakin University
Excellence in Co-Curricular Innovation Award: Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, Iowa State University
Model University Accelerator/Incubator Award: UF Innovate | Accelerate, University of Florida
Model Community Accelerator/Incubator Award: Propeller, New Orleans, LA
“Seeing the innovation, hard work and dedication that these winners and finalists put into their work every day is incredibly motivating,” said Jennifer Capps, USASBE CEO.
Mark your calendars for the 2027 USASBE conference, tentatively planned for February 10-13, 20276, in Louisville, Kentucky.
About USASBE
Founded in 1981, the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) is an inclusive community of educators, researchers, and entrepreneurs advancing entrepreneurship education through bold teaching, scholarship, and practice. Membership is open to all, as is attendance at USASBE’s hallmark annual conference. USASBE also publishes a peer-reviewed academic journal, Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy, and develops a variety of helpful resources and professional development opportunities for entrepreneurship educators as they create necessary change and positive impact. For more information, visit USASBE.org
Contact
Jennifer Capps
Email: jcapps at usasbe dot org
Phone: 708-462-2332