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The Ernest M. Hodge Center for Entrepreneurship

Norfolk State University’s School of Business Launches New Initiative

Norfolk, Va.— Norfolk State University’s School of Business, through its Hodge Center for Entrepreneurship, announces the successful launch of its Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program (EIRP). The EIRP enables students to serve as consultants to prospective entrepreneurs as well as to actual for- and not-for-profit businesses seeking growth opportunities in the Hampton Roads area. In the case of the former, students assist hopeful entrepreneurs as they perform market research, develop comprehensive business plans, investigate sources of financing, and launch their new ventures. In the latter instance, guided by clients’ senior executives and NSU faculty, EIRP students develop solutions to today’s complex business problems and present their recommendations to management.

Norfolk State University’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program is the first such initiative at an Historically Black College and University. “We are pleased to be able to continue in our role as trail blazers in entrepreneurship studies and service to the community” said Norfolk State’s acting president Kim Luckes. This semester’s entrepreneur-in-residence was Edith White, president of the Urban League of Hampton Roads, Inc. (ULHR). Working with ULHR, EIRP students explored the feasibility of starting a customer-service business in the Hampton Roads area. The objective is to provide job training and employment opportunities locally while profitably serving businesses nationwide.

Dr. Macki Sissoko, director of the Hodge Center said, “Having an executive of Ms. White’s stature interacting with our students was of immense help to these young people as they continued to learn about and explore the world’s opportunities.” Dr. Steven Papamarcos, dean of NSU’s School of Business commented, “We are incredibly grateful to Ms. White and the Urban League. Experiential-learning, such as that provided by the EIRP, gives students so many advantages, including the opportunity to interface with an actual client; develop creative and critical thinking skills; refine interpersonal skills; and build confidence. And it does all of this while providing a valuable service to the community. Simply stated, social entrepreneurship is something Norfolk State understands and embraces. We’re proud to add to that tradition.”


This semester’s EIRP course was taught by Dr. Sidika Nihal Colakoglu, assistant professor of management in the School of Business. Colakoglu noted, “The opportunity to teach the EIRP course is an exciting challenge. It’s exciting in that the benefits to the community in general and our students in particular are extraordinary. The challenge is to make it work. Most new businesses fail not long after startup. Our goal is to build robust businesses that will continue to benefit others long after the EIRP students have graduated.”

The Hodge Center for Entrepreneurship is named in honor of Ernest M. Hodge. The founder and co-CEO of the March/Hodge Holding Company and president and CEO of Heritage Automotive Group, Hodge is a graduate of Norfolk State. In 2003, March/Hodge was recognized as the fifth largest black-owned business in America.