BGSU and the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial leadership is integrating entrepreneurial leadership across campus. (BGSU photo/Haven Conn '22)
The Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership is bringing an entrepreneurial mindset to disciplines across campus and preparing students to create value in any career
BGSU and the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership are working to dispel the myth that entrepreneurship is only for business majors. Together, they are bringing entrepreneurial thinking to every discipline, helping students build the skills to solve problems, recognize opportunities and succeed in any career.
Rebranding what it means to be an entrepreneur
Actively working to dispel the myth that entrepreneurship belongs solely to business majors, the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership is partnering with academic deans and department chairs to embed entrepreneurial thinking into engineering, education and all other disciplines.
Campus-wide integration
To expand the Center’s impact, the University is taking a three-pronged approach: exposure, engagement and experiential learning. The Center is exposing students to entrepreneurial leadership; engaging them in entrepreneurship with the help of faculty, partnerships and coaching; and providing them with experiential learning through The Hatch and internships with alumni and partners.
Entrepreneurial leadership = Career readiness
Employers often hire and promote individuals who excel at recognizing opportunity, taking ownership, delivering results and resilience. BGSU empowers every student to design their life and career with an entrepreneurial mindset to stand out and succeed.
“BGSU students learn to approach problems differently, actively seeking out opportunities and pathways to success. They graduate as self-starters who take accountability, deliver results and know how to adapt."
DAVID UHLENHAKE
DIRECTOR, BGSU PAUL J. HOOKER CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP
Career readiness
#2
public university nationally for career preparation
BGSU is one of only eight institutions accepted into the first-ever National Work Integrated Learning Accelerator to create innovative applied learning experiences for students with industry partners. In conjunction with Career and Life Design, students apply design thinking to career development, planning and preparation, experiential learning and job attainment.
A national leader in career and life design, Bowling Green State University is further positioning students for professional success by integrating entrepreneurial leadership and thinking across campus.
The Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership has a history of supporting entrepreneurs at BGSU. Originally housed in the Schmidthorst College of Business, the Center is actively working to dispel the myth that entrepreneurship belongs solely to business majors by embedding entrepreneurial thinking into engineering, education, the College of Arts and Sciences and all other disciplines.
“Oftentimes, the first word people think of when they hear entrepreneurship is ‘ideas,’ but we encourage BGSU students to realize that ideas are solutions that only surface after a problem has been identified,” said David Uhlenhake, director of the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. “Everyone, in every industry, faces challenges they want to solve. Thinking like an entrepreneur helps address those issues, whether it be in a classroom or the workplace.”
One of the Center’s premier events, The Hatch, drew a record 160 applicants in 2026 for the business pitch competition. This year’s participants created innovative software solutions to help children and businesses; launched a business to help high school and collegiate athletes with financial literacy; and introduced an online marketplace platform that connects local farmers, artists and small producers directly with consumers and local markets.
While widely recognized and extremely successful, The Hatch is just one part of the Center’s broader mission.
“The mindset of entrepreneurial leadership is for every student, and the durable skills that come with it will support career readiness across all disciplines,” said Uhlenhake. “Employers hire and promote individuals who excel at opportunity recognition, problem ownership, value creation and resilience. BGSU empowers every student to design their life and career with an entrepreneurial mindset, helping them stand out and succeed.”
To expand the Center’s impact, the University is taking a three-pronged approach: exposure, engagement and experiential learning.
Exposure
To help students understand what entrepreneurial leadership looks like, the Center is collaborating with academic deans and department chairs to integrate these concepts directly into core classes and collaborative events.
Engagement
Mentorship opportunities that pair students with faculty members for regular discussions will be expanded. The program offers one-on-one coaching with milestone-based development and workshops focused on building the skills students need to take action with confidence, intention and resilience. Students are provided with access to alumni mentors and community partners who can share insights, advice and guidance on entrepreneurial ideas.
Additionally, a student-led organization on campus has been designed to support first-time entrepreneurial experiences for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Experiential Learning
Hands-on learning can be one of the most effective ways for students to experience entrepreneurship, and competitions like The Hatch provide that foundation. Beyond campus, the Center is partnering with alumni and local businesses to build dedicated internships and collaborative opportunities.
To meet students where they are in their entrepreneurial journey, the Center established Falcon Incubation.
“Through Falcon Incubation, we created a structured pathway to help students grow their entrepreneurial leadership skills through hands-on experience, individualized coaching and access to resources that support real progress,” Uhlenhake said. “It is designed to meet students at any stage of the journey, whether they are exploring an idea, developing a concept, preparing to launch or growing their business.”
Uhlenhake emphasized that entrepreneurial leadership isn’t strictly for those planning to launch a startup. He categorizes student entrepreneurial paths into four distinct profiles:
1. Intrapreneurial leader - Innovates and drives value within established organizations.
2. Future founder - Builds intrapreneurial skills first, with plans to launch a venture after gaining industry experience
3. Natural founder - Driven to launch ventures independently, regardless of formal support.
4. Emerging founder - Possesses untapped potential that can be unlocked through structured guidance
When paired with Career and Life Design, the Paul J. Hooker Center provides a seamless transition into professional development.
“Many students are introduced to Career and Life Design in their first year, making them familiar with design thinking – the same framework of learning, building and testing used by entrepreneurs,” Uhlenhake said. “Students with design thinking and entrepreneurial leadership skills enter their careers with a clearer sense of direction and greater adaptability.”
Whether students graduate with a full business proposal or not, those who engage with the Paul J. Hooker Center gain durable skills that translate into successful careers.
“BGSU students learn to approach problems differently, actively seeking out opportunities and pathways to success,” Uhlenhake said. “They graduate as self-starters who take accountability, deliver results and know how to adapt.
“We are going beyond supporting business founders. We are empowering every student who wants to innovate, join a startup or simply become a stronger leader.”
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Updated: 10/20/2026 01:23PM