In today’s rapidly evolving world, an entrepreneurial mindset is becoming essential, whether you’re launching a startup, joining an innovative team, or leading change within an established corporation. But why study entrepreneurship when you could go to a traditional business school or simply “hustle” on your own?

At the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship, we believe true entrepreneurial success isn’t just about theory—it’s about hands-on application and navigating real-world challenges. That’s why a cornerstone of our program, and a major differentiator, is our exceptional faculty: professors who aren’t just teaching concepts, but sharing decades of lived entrepreneurial experience directly with our students.

Why does learning from these industry professionals matter so much for aspiring innovators and business leaders?

Experience You Can’t Get From a Textbook: Learning from Those Who’ve Done It

There’s a transformative difference between reading about entrepreneurship and actually living it. At the Close School, our professors don’t just teach business principles; they’ve built, scaled, and led successful ventures themselves. With years of hands-on experience facing challenges, celebrating triumphs, pivoting under pressure, and scaling new ideas, they offer students invaluable lessons drawn directly from real-world applications.

Take Dr. Zahed Subhan, for example. With over 30 years of experience in the global pharmaceutical and biotech industries, he brings a rich, high-stakes perspective to the classroom. As a former CEO of multiple biotech firms, Dr. Subhan has personally raised over $50 million and led deals valued at more than $600 million. His journey exemplifies the caliber of professionals the Close School recruits—individuals who have not only achieved remarkable success but are passionate about sharing their practical wisdom.

Another exceptional example is Professor Robert Morier, a former global investment executive turned venture capital professor. Robert’s non-traditional journey—from studying history to managing multi-billion dollar investment portfolios—underscores his unique perspective. He brings 25 years of institutional investment experience, having led business development and fundraising efforts that raised billions across global markets. Professor Morier’s insights are not just theoretical; he draws compelling connections between risk management and other professions such as in ocean lifeguarding and investing in his research, even publishing groundbreaking research on the similarities between the two. His courses, like “Funding for Impact” co-led with 1% for the Planet CEO Kate Williams, and “Tides of Innovation,” are infused with his real-world expertise and professional network.

This kind of expertise means our students gain:

• Practical Insights: Access to real-world strategies, common pitfalls, and hard-earned lessons that are simply not found in textbooks. Our professors provide actionable advice, equipping you to make smarter decisions from day one.


• Authentic Storytelling: Classes come alive through personal anecdotes and compelling case studies, making complex concepts more memorable and meaningful.


• Real-Time Relevance: Many of our faculty remain actively engaged in the startup world. This means they bring the very latest trends, cutting-edge tools, and immediate industry challenges directly into the curriculum, ensuring our students are always ahead of the curve.

Connections That Matter: Your Network Starts Here

In the world of entrepreneurship, your network is often just as valuable as your ideas. Having faculty members who are still active in their industries creates a powerful, unparalleled advantage for our students. Close School professors aren’t just educators; they are connected insiders who can open doors to real-world opportunities across the entire entrepreneurial landscape.

Professor Robert Morier perfectly embodies this. Beyond his impactful teaching, he is the co-founder of Twelve Pound Productions, producing the Dakota Live! Podcast. Through this platform, he regularly interviews both prominent industry professionals and Close School students. This initiative provides students with direct exposure to leaders who share similar goals and passions, making it an authentic and engaging way to build meaningful connections and expand their networks through a trusted professor.

This translates into invaluable, tangible opportunities for our students:

• Exclusive Guest Speakers & Mentors: Faculty leverage their extensive networks to bring leading entrepreneurs, visionary investors, and top industry experts directly into the classroom, offering diverse perspectives and even one-on-one mentorship opportunities.


• Prime Internship & Job Opportunities: Their professional ties frequently translate into coveted internships, impactful co-op placements, and even full-time roles at both agile early-stage startups and well-established firms.


• Vibrant Community Building: Our professors actively cultivate a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem, connecting students with a broader network of founders, experienced advisors, and future collaborators, right here within the Close School community.

Master Expertise on an Application Level: Beyond the Textbook

While foundational theories provide essential groundwork, true mastery in entrepreneurship comes from putting that knowledge into practice. This is where industry professionals truly shine, translating complex concepts into real-world applications and guiding students through the messy, unpredictable, and ultimately rewarding realities of building something from the ground up.

Every one of our professors infuses experiential learning into their curricula. For example, Associate Teaching Professor John Wilson offers specialized courses on influencer marketing and content creation. While these careers may seem straightforward, Professor Wilson ensures students develop comprehensive skills, from technical aspects like business models and monetization (leveraging Amazon storefronts and affiliate links) to creative strategies for building a personal brand and nurturing a fanbase. Students in his classes consistently develop their startups and ideas, creating tangible outcomes like no-code apps and launch-ready content for their ventures.

Another fantastic example is Associate Teaching Professor Scott Quitel. Professor Quitel leads courses focusing on the crucial intersection between sustainability and entrepreneurship. He excels at connecting students with residents in the local Philadelphia community through impactful, community-based learning techniques. His upcoming class, Building Urban Resilience and Sustainability, directly addresses climate change in the local sphere. After learning about the problems the community faces, students will create hands-on solutions that could impact real-world issues. These out-of-classroom experiences enable students to think directly about the community, teaching the entrepreneurial perspective while instilling a strong sense of social responsibility. Additionally, Professor Quitel runs a nonprofit organization called the Land Health Institute, which focuses on reconnecting people with nature. Students can gain invaluable experience by volunteering or applying for co-op positions here, participating in opportunities like a native plant nursery and community events.

Here’s how this hands-on approach uniquely empowers students:

• Problem-Solving in Action: Professors lead students through authentic business challenges, fostering critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and the vital ability to pivot when necessary, rather than just memorizing facts.


• Practical Skill Development: From perfecting your pitch and navigating fundraising to building a brand and leading a team, students learn the precise, practical skills needed to bring their ideas to life in a competitive market.


• Entrepreneurial Mindset Cultivation: Perhaps most importantly, students gain the core entrepreneurial mindset: resilience, adaptability, calculated risk-taking, and the relentless drive to innovate and create impact.

CONCLUSION:

At the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship, we’re dedicated to offering an education that goes far beyond traditional teaching. By learning directly from professors with deep, active industry experience, you’ll gain not only essential knowledge but also invaluable practical wisdom, unparalleled connections, and hands-on expertise. This comprehensive approach truly equips you to succeed and lead in today’s fast-paced world of innovation, giving you a distinct advantage whether you’re starting your own company or driving change within an existing one.