Q&A with Jeff Hornsby

Photo credit: Janet Rogers, Strategic Communications & Marketing

Regnier Institute Director Receives Advocacy Award for Entrepreneurial Efforts

How were you chosen for the award?

I was nominated for the John E. Hughes Entrepreneurial Advocacy Award by Dr. Donald Kuratko at Indiana University, with whom I’ve participated in the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) for a number of years. I received the award during the USASBE 2016 Award Winners celebration.

What are the qualifications for which the award is given?

The award is named after its first recipient, John Hughes. It recognizes individuals for their “long-term encouragement, support, resources, time, development, talent and skills to further the field of entrepreneurship and to support structures that nurture emerging and practicing business owners.”

Once nominated, the nominator had to get letters of support forwarded to a selection committee. The committee reviewed the nominations and, following that, the selection was made.

How long have you been involved with USASBE?

I’ve been involved since the early 90s, including serving on the board for more than 10 years, executive committee for three years, and as a conference chair twice.

This was through new and corporate venture promotion at Ball State University, and the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship at Kansas State University. Now, I am still actively involved in venture promotion at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Can you provide examples of your work in and advocacy of entrepreneurship?

Much of my work has been through the various roles I’ve had at USASBE since 1990. I spent 21 years at Ball State University, which was ranked number three in undergraduate programs by U.S. News and World Report; I was founding director of Kansas State’s Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship; and now I lead UMKC’s Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Also, I hope my scholarship contributed to my receiving this award. I have co-authored more than 70 articles and five books that have investigated critical elements of the entrepreneurial process, especially as it relates to entrepreneurial mindset, human resources, and entrepreneurial orientation.

How long have you been at the Bloch School?

I have been here approximately three years, and I feel strongly about the Regnier Institute. Our mission and commitment to working across campus and into the Kansas City community with a focus on early stage ventures is at the very core of what the John Hughes Entrepreneurial Advocacy Award is about.

Tell me your thoughts when you learned you were the 2016 award recipient.

I am not a big awards guy, but this was quite an honor. This is a great recognition for 26 years of work at USASBE, for the advocacy of entrepreneurship at the university level, and through research and writing accomplishments.

|Wandra Brooks Green, Division of Strategic Marketing and Communications

 


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