UMKC, Blue Springs schools testing entrepreneurship class
February 11, 2016 | Andrea Essner
The University of Missouri-Kansas City wants to play matchmaker between high school students and entrepreneurship.
UMKC announced Wednesday that it’s partnering with the Blue Springs School District to test an entrepreneurship course for both high school students and community members.
The course, which aims to introduce students to opportunities in entrepreneurship, is available for credit to students and non-credit to community members. “Introduction to Entrepreneurship”
aims to acquaint both students and community members to the opportunities available in area entrepreneurship.
“Many people were determined to see this course offered in Blue Springs, and Annette Seago, the assistant superintendent of the Blue Springs School District, worked hard to bring it to fruition,” said Jeff Hornsby, director of the Regnier Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
To encourage enrollment, Seago worked with Lead Bank to provide three $500 scholarships to select local companies that send employees to attend the class.
Philip Gonsher, assistant teaching professor of entrepreneurship and marketing at UMKC’s Henry W. Bloch School of Management, is currently teaching the pilot program in Blue Springs to 19 students and community members. Starting in the fall, the course will be taught by two Blue Springs high school teachers and will be offered to students for dual high school and college credit.
Hornsby recognizes that this is an opportunity for students to not only learn more about entrepreneurship, but also get a taste of what UMKC’s Bloch School has to offer.
“Blue Springs has high school students who are potentially interested in the Bloch School entrepreneurship program, and they can begin the education process through course offerings such as this,” Hornsby said.
Featured Business

2016 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
How a van life competition, web series could prove Grandview-founded startup’s revenue model
Social media platforms don’t need to rely on advertisements and algorithms to generate revenue, Wesley Elder said — instead they can partner with brands and creators to create unique and authentic experiences. The Jump, a Grandview-based social media platform focused on creating a positive space where users can bond over common interests, has kept its…
KC’s first Black-owned brewery reveals future home: Historic redevelopment project on Vine Street
A piece of Kansas City history — now an in-the-works east side business development near one of the city’s famed entertainment districts — is expected to be the home of KC’s first Black-owned brewery, Kemet Coleman confirmed Monday. “The cat’s out of the bag,” said Coleman, revealing plans for the soon-to-debut Vine Street Brewing company to…
Making home haircuts fresh again: KC barber reimagines barbershops with mobile service, app
Michael Thurman had a 1-year-old child at home and another baby on the way when COVID-19’s outset left him without work for eight weeks, he shared. Contemplating how he could have more freedom and stability as a barber, the wheels began turning beneath Thurman’s scalp. His idea: create a traveling barber platform — now known as…
GEW event series set for 7-day, hybrid return; now accepting presenter submissions
Global Entrepreneurship Week Kansas City, the metro’s largest annual celebration of entrepreneurship, is seeking event submissions from the community to help aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small business owners build their operations and be more resilient for the future. “Even though pandemic restrictions are over, we know the struggle to keep doors open is very real,…
