UC professor wins national Entrepreneurship Educator award

Empowering tomorrow’s leaders

Charles H. Matthews at USASBE annual event. Photo/Lindner College of Business

To celebrate excellence and dedication to entrepreneurship education, the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) awarded its prestigious Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year Award to University of Cincinnati professor Charles H. Matthews, PhD.

Matthews, a distinguished teaching professor specializing in entrepreneurship and strategy and the visionary behind the UC Center for Entrepreneurship at UC's Carl H. Lindner College of Business, received the USASBE accolade for his outstanding contributions to advancing entrepreneurship education.

This January, the annual USASBE conference, "Forging the Future Together," was held in Birmingham, Alabama. Since the award program's inception in 1992, only 25 individuals have been recognized for their remarkable contributions to entrepreneurship education.

I am energized and inspired to continue contributing to the evolution of entrepreneurship education, knowing that our collective efforts shape the next generation of innovative thinkers and doers.

Charles H. Matthews, PhD Professor, entrepreneurship and strategy, Carl H. Lindner College of Business

United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship award. Photo/Andy Weaver

During his acceptance speech, Matthews extended a heartfelt appreciation to UC, the Lindner College of Business, mentors, colleagues and his many students.

“While receiving the Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year award is a momentous occasion, it is not an endpoint. It is a reminder of the responsibilities we bear as educators to continuously push the boundaries of knowledge and pedagogy. I am energized and inspired to continue contributing to the evolution of entrepreneurship education, knowing that our collective efforts shape the next generation of innovative thinkers and doers,” Matthews said.

Matthews gave a special shout out to the more than 10,000 students he has taught over the years. He said they have inspired him more than he has them.

"A tip of my cap to the schools and institutions, and entrepreneurship ecosystems, especially the University of Cincinnati, the Lindner College of Business and so many now who continue to step up to build the foundation and superstructure of Entrepreneurship Education” Matthews said.

USASBE impact

The USASBE Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year Award recognizes educators who demonstrate significant leadership in promoting entrepreneurship through their work and contributions to the field.

Former USASBE award recipient Geralyn McClure Franklin, PhD, nominated Matthews for this esteemed award along with colleagues George T. Solomon, PhD, and Jeffrey R. Cornwall, PhD.

"We have known Dr. Matthews and considered him both a colleague and a friend for more than three decades," Franklin said. "Much of our own successes as entrepreneurship educators are due to the support and influence of people like Dr. Matthews through our involvement with USASBE. Even before our paths crossed professionally and personally, we were well aware of his contributions to entrepreneurship education."

Entrepreneurship’s lifeblood

Charles H. Matthews accepts the Entrepreneurial Educator of the Year award. Pictured, left to right, are Julie Shields, Mark Schenkel, Charles Matthews and Thomas Pitzz. Photo/Andy Weaver

Matthews is an internationally recognized scholar and innovative teacher in entrepreneurship. He was a J. William Fulbright U.S. Scholar in Lithuania, past-president and fellow of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) and has presented, lectured and taught at colleges and universities around the world including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, Germany, Finland, Norway, Russia, Singapore, Sweden and many more.

“Professor Matthews is the embodiment of what we do well at Lindner — experiential learning,” said Marianne Lewis, PhD, dean and professor of management at the Carl H. Lindner College of Business. “Chuck combines theory and practice, gets students involved in their field and inspired about what they can do. This award honors his incredible career and impact as an educator — benefiting more than 7,000 students at UC.”

Matthews' extensive list of accolades includes the George Barbour Award for Good Student-Faculty Relations from the University of Cincinnati in 2022, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Council for Small Business in 2019 and a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Research & Teaching Fellowship in 2018. As a testament to his leadership, Matthews founded the UC Center for Entrepreneurship in 1997, solidifying his commitment to fostering entrepreneurship education.

Julienne Shields, CEO of USASBE, expressed her excitement for the recognition bestowed upon Matthews, stating, "It is such a thrill to see Chuck receive the rightly deserved recognition via these awards. In the field of entrepreneurship education, he is outstanding, bringing innovative thinking and inspiration to many aspiring entrepreneurship educators and students."

Featured image at top: Charles H. Matthews accepts the Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year Award. Photo/Andy Weaver

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UC professor wins national Entrepreneurship Educator award

Empowering tomorrow’s leaders

USASBE impact

Entrepreneurship’s lifeblood

Innovation Lives Here

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