The Global Center for Social Entrepreneurship Network (GCSEN Foundation) Launches Its Social Venture Research Institute for College Faculty, Administrators & Business Leaders

MBA Blog / 18th March 2019

GCSEN, The Global Center for Social Entrepreneurship Network (GCSEN Foundation) recently launched its Social Venture Research Institute, including an innovative Social Venture Fellowship Program for faculty, administrators and business leaders. The new program debuted on the campus of Wheaton College, Norton, MA., supported by the leadership of Wheaton President Dennis Hanno and the visionary Diana Davis Spencer Foundation of Bethesda, MD. GCSEN is dedicated to spreading the ideas and practice of Social Entrepreneurship to higher education students and adult learners across the world. The organization’s credo is to “Make Meaning, Make Money, and Move the World to a Better Place” via Social Entrepreneurship education and empowerment.

Since 2015, GCSEN has regularly conducted highly regarded Boot Camps for college students and adult learners, and its leadership has taught Social Entrepreneurship undergraduate courses at Wheaton College, SUNY New Paltz, Vassar College (Poughkeepsie NY), and St. Peter’s University (Jersey City). GCSEN also offers on-line blended learning courses for those interested in creating an internship in their own Social Venture. Now, the organization has accelerated its offerings by initiating an intensive “prac-acdemic” two-day Fellowship experience, specifically designed for college faculty, key administrators and business leaders.   

The Social Venture Research Institute (SVRI) program features innovative learning experiences using new methodology, in collaboration with best practice thought leaders, fostering the growth of “4P” Social Entrepreneurship, for People, Planet, Profit and Place. The goal is to enable enrollees to be prepared and inspired to train the next generation of Social Entrepreneurs across the globe. Participants have access to the GCSEN Business Formulation Toolkit and GCSEN on-line courses SE 101, 102 & 103, earning a SVRI Certification upon completion, and have access to GCSEN’s life-long on-line support community.

GCSEN Founder & President Mike Caslin said, “SVRI is at the cutting edge of Social Entrepreneurship research, education and leadership. Every campus and business can benefit from learning what GCSEN has tested and proven, and now offers. Participants in our programs consistently rate it as a life-changing experience, with significant knowledge gains and ten-time increases in business formulation rates. The positive ripple effects our programs have on individuals and on campuses has been dramatic, and we continue to build on our successes.”