Bill Greehey School of Business

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E-Scholar Program

Home
Program Requirements and Admission Process
The E-Scholar Team
Meet the E-Scholars

Entrepreneurship is not a business school discipline. It is a way of thinking that occurs across campus at every university. But while most schools do not offer university-wide entrepreneurship education, the Entrepreneur Scholars Program at St. Mary's University does.

The E-scholars Program is a yearlong program that includes academic and extra-curricular activities for students from all disciplines and majors. The program is housed in the Meadows Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, located in the Bill Greehey School of Business at St. Mary s University. The program consists of a carefully selected blend of traditional classroom learning with opportunities outside of the classroom that enhance entrepreneurial education and experiences. The E-scholars program overcomes five common barriers to learning: isolation, time, limited expertise, rapid globalization, and cost. This is achieved by securing sponsorships from individuals and businesses in the community.

Entrepreneur Scholars will attend classes designed specifically for them, go on domestic and international business trips, receive one-on-one advice and assistance from business mentors while developing and implementing their entrepreneurial ideas, and have the opportunity to network with successful entrepreneurs and executives from the business community.

Top Row: Rafael Pineyro, Abigail Hernandez, Andrew Michalek, Portia Gresham, Miguel Melgarejo Bottom Row: John Sandoval, Brissa Renteria, Tanairi Ocho, Anosh Anthony, Alice Meyer

Students from all disciplines and majors are encouraged to apply. Participants are selected through an application and interview process in which they are evaluated on attributes such as interest in the program, motivation to learn, entrepreneurial propensity, academic performance, and career goals. The application process occurs in the spring semester of each academic year and those accepted matriculate through the program the following academic year. Entrepreneur Scholar Program participants are required to provide sponsors with periodic progress reports on their program activities and accomplishments.

If you would like to apply for the 2013-2014 Entrepreneur Scholars Program (E-scholars Program) please fill out the following E-scholar Propensity Evaluation:

Click here to take survey

Meet the Team

A four-member team comprised of faculty and staff from across the university operates the program. The team includes:

Brooke Envick, Ph.D., Director of the Meadows Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and Associate Professor of Management. Dr. Envick directs the Entrepreneur Scholars Program and teaches one of the courses.
Jeffrey Johnson, Ph.D., Associate Professor of International Business and Director of the Center for Global Business Studies. Dr. Johnson is the Faculty Representative from the Bill Greehey School of Business. He teaches one of the courses and helps to advise and monitor the progress of the students from his school.
Rafael Moras, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Engineering. Dr. Moras is the Faculty Representative from the School of Science, Engineering, and Technology. He helps to advise and monitor the progress of the students from his school.
Pete Hansen, Executive Director of Alumni Relations. Hansen will foster and maintain sponsor relations.

For general questions please contact: E-Scholars

Meet the E-Scholars

Entrepreneur Scholars at St. Mary's University come from diverse backgrounds and are passionate about diverse projects, but all of them are ready to take on new challenges in entrepreneurship. Learn more about the individual students below.

Current E-Scholars

Portia Gresham
Abigail Hernandez
Miguel Melgarejo
Alice Meyer
Andrew Michalek
Tanairi Ochoa
Rafael Diez Pineyro
Brissa Renteria
John Sandoval

Portia Gresham
Senior
Psychology
gresham
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona

If you could choose anyone in the world to be your mentor, who would it be? Dr. Sherra Theisen (CEO of the Texas Nature Project)

What quote, statement, or short poem describes your philosophy of life? "Whatever you do, work at it will all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men" -Colossians 3:23

Why did you choose to become an E-Scholar? I chose to become an E-Scholar to better understand my interests and strengths, and learn how to use them to benefit society as well as myself.

Abigail Hernandez
Sophomore
Accounting

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

If you could choose anyone in the world to be your mentor, who would it be? Kit Goldsbury (Pace Salsa/ Pearl Brewery)

What quote, statement, or short poem describes your philosophy or life? None

Why did you choose to become an E-Scholar? I became an E-Scholar so I could develop my own business plan. I could have done it on my own but I felt that this program would push me to do it and give me more feedback.

Miguel Melgarejo
Sophomore
Undecided Business

Hometown: Lima, Peru

If you could choose anyone in the world to be your mentor, who would it be? Pele (Soccer Player)

What quote, statement, or short poem describes your philosophy of life? "It s not the size of the dog in the fight, it s the size of the fight in the dog"-Mark Twain

Why did you choose to become an E-Scholar? I chose to become an E-Scholar because I saw the program as an opportunity to experience both traveling and learning. One of my dreams someday is to own my own business. The E-Scholar program seemed like the first step in the right direction.

Alice "Ali" Meyer
Senior
International Relations with a Minor in Art
meyer
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

If you could choose anyone in the world to be your mentor, who would it be? I would love to learn from celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, or from interior designer Jonathan Adler.

What quote, statement, or short poem describes your philosophy of life? "Sometimes, I ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."-Lewis Carrol

Why did you choose to become an E-Scholar? I chose to become an E-Scholar because I have always been interested in the business world both from the perspective of working for a business and starting my own. I was attracted to the program because it gives students the opportunity to present and defend their own business ideas. I also enjoy traveling and was attracted to that part of the program as well.

Andrew Michalek
Junior
International Business

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

If you could choose anyone in the world to be your mentor, who would it be? I would choose my dear friend and dive buddy Mark Parker. Mr. Parker is the president of Switch-It Inc., an integrative electronics company that produces products such as the GPS systems for ejection seats in the USAF F-15 Eagle fighter/bomber and the biometric components in specialized mobility systems for disabled individuals. Mr. Parker is an incredibly adaptable and intelligent entrepreneur who started Switch-It in his garage. It also doesn't hurt that he is one of the best divers I have every dove with.

What quote, statement, or short poem describes your philosophy of life? "Disappointment is the difference between expectation and reality"-Herman Abrahams

Why did you choose to become an E-Scholar? I believe the entrepreneurial spirit is contagious; the more you are exposed to it, the more you absorb. In addition to its relatively exclusive nature, I was also excited with the concept and opportunities afforded by the program. The small class filled with motivated and intelligent classmates seemed like the perfect place to discuss and develop ideas, and the chance to add another stamp to my passport was the icing on the cake.

Tanairi Ochoa
Junior
Political Science and International Relations
ochoa
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona

If you could choose anyone in the world to be your mentor, who would it be? If I could choose anyone in the world to be my mentor it would be Cesar Estrada Chavez (Migrant Farm Workers Leader).

What quote, statement, or short poem describes your philosophy of life? "The end of all education should surely be service to others"-Cesar E. Chavez

Why did you choose to become an E-Scholar? I chose to become an E-Scholar for many reasons. Although I am not specializing in business, I have always had a passion for entrepreneurship- more specifically social entrepreneurship. Someday, I hope to create a non-profit organization that can make a difference in the world. The E-Scholar program will help me gain the valuable skills necessary to make this happen.

Rafael Diez Pineyro
Sophomore
Entrepreneurial Studies
pineyro
Hometown: Monterrey, Nuevo, Leon, Mexico

If you could choose anyone in the world to be your mentor, who would it be? Dead: Theordore Roosevelt (26th President of the United States) Alive: Henry Matloz

What quote, statement, or short poem describes your philosophy of life? "My search for that which made me happy was in vain. Just as well. A moment of happiness isn t meaning. It feels shallow to me. But I don't know any other way."-Luke Wacholtz

Why did you choose to become an E-Scholar? I chose to become an E-Scholar because I want to start my own business one day and become the best person I can be.

Brissa Reteria
Junior
English-Communication Arts
renteria
Hometown: El Paso, Texas

If you could choose anyone in the world to be your mentor, who would it be? Don Haskins (Former NCAA Coach)

What quote, statement, or short poem describes your philosophy of life? "Never make permanent decisions based on temporary feelings"-Unknown

Why did you choose to become an E-Scholar? I became an E-Scholar because I wanted to surround myself with ambitious people who were looking to start a business at a young age, like myself. I wanted to continue to be a role model for those who take interest in my passions so I can lead others in doing the same. Participating in the E-Scholar program will challenge me to improve upon my weaknesses and provide outward assistance and extra dedication in particular areas I should improve.

John Sandoval
Sophomore
Accounting

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

If you could choose anyone in the world to be your mentor, who would it be? Warren Buffet (Berkshire Hathaway)

What quote, statement, or short poem describes your philosophy of life? "Success doesn't come to you, you go with it."-Marva Collins

Why did you choose to become an E-Scholar? I chose to become an E-Scholar because I wanted to gain the skills necessary to make innovated differences in the world. I want to learn how to take the skills I have and apply them to the real world. I also want to gain insight on how to be a successful entrepreneur.