Our Approach

Experiential Learning

Social Venturing

The Smith School is partnering with select non-profits to provide students with practical consulting experience and an opportunity to give back to their community. Many social sector organizations face strategic, marketing, operational, financial, and general management issues that offer rich opportunities for student learning. In addition, communities served by these non-profits benefit because their service providers become more efficient, effective and sustainable. Students can pursue their own start-up ideas in the social venture arena with the support of the Dingman Center. In all, our broader community benefits from their thought leadership and activism. Learn more.

Students can also pursue their own start-up ideas in the social venture arena with the support of the Dingman Center and the Center for Social Value Creation.

Global Field Projects

Supporting Entrepreneurs around the World — Supporting Entrepreneurs around the World — Entrepreneurship is the defining business model for the 21st century. This is true not only within the United States but also throughout the globe as emerging economies further develop and globalization continues to spread. The Smith School recognizes these trends and realizes the importance of supporting entrepreneurs throughout the world and providing opportunities for our students to explore innovative solutions for social change. Learn more about a Smith student's experiences as a summer microfinance intern in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

China Business Plan Competition — The Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship hosts an annual business plan competition in Beijing, China. For more information, please visit the Smith School in China Web site.

Students Gaining Experience Abroad — Students at the Smith School have partnered with Engineers without Borders, a non-profit organization that works with disadvantaged communities to improve their quality of life through implementation of environmentally and economically sustainable engineering projects, while developing internationally responsible engineering students. Learn more about the EWB project in Burkino Faso.

Training Global Entrepreneurs — Additional global activities have included venture creation training sessions in Egypt and the Bahamas.

Student Clubs

• Net Impact—An international organization that aims to create a community of socially responsible business leaders. Read an article about Net Impact.
• Terp Changemakers
• Society for Green Business — An undergraduate organization that seeks to build a campus community devoted to promoting environmental awareness. Read an article about SGB.
• Business Ethics Club

Social Enterprise Symposium

Join the Robert H. Smith School of Business at our annual Social Enterprise Symposium, a student-run program designed to introduce new approaches for making impactful, lasting social change around the world using market-based approaches. Read more about the 2009 event, watch videos, and get breakout session summaries.

Transform Your World Film Festival

Transform Your World Film Festival celebrates University of Maryland students who do amazing good in College Park and beyond. On May 8, 2009, we awarded $2,500 in prize money to Engineers without Borders and The Gathering. Read more about the festival.