Loyola University Maryland

Simon Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

About

The Simon Center is a University-wide platform led by founding Director Wendy Bolger, in partnership with the faculty Entrepreneur in Residence, Bill Romani, who are joined by the CI&E Student Steering Committee, and funded by generous alumni.

The Simon Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Loyola nurtures student innovators through education, hands-on experiences, and creative experimentation. The mission of the Simon Center is to elevate innovation and entrepreneurship on Loyola campuses and throughout Baltimore. The important work of the Simon Center will create a lasting impact on the city through support of wealth and job creation driven by underrepresented women entrepreneurs and innovators of color.

Awards & Recognition

Red badge for GCEC Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers 2021 Award Winner

2023 UpSurge Award - Entrepreneur Support Organization of the Year

#11 Most Innovative Schools in the North 2022 by U.S. News & World Report

Commitment to Racial Justice

In accordance with our mission to be a part of transforming Baltimore by providing support to women innovators and entrepreneurs of color, the CI&E strives to become an anti-racist organization. The CI&E pledges to think critically about the role race plays in relationships, programs, and organizations, and to challenge ourselves and others to include an analysis of racial justice in decision-making.

History

The CI&E got under way in the fall of 2018 with a Community Launch week that was attended by hundreds of students and community members, featuring a variety of events, speakers, and new ways to engage with Loyola and the CI&E. The launch built on momentum that had been gathering on campus in the form of the Innovation Task Force, the Blitz, University Innovation Fellows, and the generous founding gifts to the CI&E. The new academic minor in Innovation & Entrepreneurship also became available in fall 2018, rapidly attracting students from across academic disciplines. To learn more about our impact in the last year, download the report linked at the top of this page.

Past Events

Take a moment to explore some past milestone events that have defined the Center over the years.

 

View our 2019 Impact Report View our 2020 Impact Report

Bill smiles in portrait photo in front of Alumni Chapel.
Faculty Expert

Combining service and entrepreneurship

Bill Romani, Ph.D., entrepreneur in residence, hopes to expand innovation and entrepreneurship at Loyola through academic programs.