Adjunct Instructor - SMO Entrepreneurial

Summary Of Responsibilities

The Adjunct Instructor - SMO Entrepreneurial plans and delivers engaging instruction focused on entrepreneurial principles, business model development, and venture creation. Responsibilities include facilitating hands-on projects, mentoring students through ideation and execution, assessing student performance, and integrating real-world business practices into coursework. The instructor promotes student-centered learning, connects students with industry mentors and community resources, and supports the mission and objectives of the SMO Entrepreneurial program.

Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications

• Master’s degree in Business, Entrepreneurship, Education, or a closely related field: OR currently working toward a master’s degree with anticipated completion by the end of 2026.
• 3–5 years of real-world entrepreneurial experience, such as: Launching or scaling startups, Mergers & acquisitions, Managing small businesses, Product or service development.
• Experience in venture-backed companies.
• Experience teaching, mentoring, or facilitating workshops for students or early-stage entrepreneurs.
• Strong working knowledge of: Business model development, Customer discovery, MVP design, Lean startup methodologies.
• Proficiency with modern entrepreneurship tools such as Canva, Figma, Business Model Canvas, pitch decks, Excel, and basic financial modeling.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience securing funding (e.g., investor pitching, crowdfunding, grants).
• Knowledge of digital marketing, e-commerce platforms, and analytics tools.
• Demonstrated success in designing, launching, or scaling a venture.
• Experience guiding students through real-world projects, startup simulations, or capstone experiences.
• Familiarity with project-based and experiential learning methodologies.
• Established network within the startup or small business community (e.g., accelerators, investors, chambers of commerce).
• Strong passion for mentoring students and fostering creativity, resilience, and innovation.

Skills

• Deliver engaging, clear, and structured instruction in both lecture and workshop formats.
• Translate real-world entrepreneurial experience into practical teaching examples.
• Facilitate hands-on projects, startup simulations, and capstone-style experiences.
• Coach students through ideation, validation, iteration, and presentation of business ideas.
• Provide constructive feedback on business plans, financials, and pitch decks.
• Afford assessments student performance using rubrics and learning outcomes.
• Effectively present and communicate complex business concepts.
• Apply creative problem-solving in dynamic classroom and project environments.
• Manage classroom dynamics and student collaboration.
• Integrate external speakers, mentors, or community partners into coursework.
• Organize course materials, timelines, and deliverables efficiently.
• Use instructional and productivity technology to support learning.

Abilities

• Ability to inspire an entrepreneurial mindset, creativity, and resilience in students.
• Ability to mentor students through ambiguity, iteration, and failure.
• Ability to connect theory with real-world application and industry relevance.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with program leadership.
• Ability to foster a respectful and supportive learning environment.
• Ability to build and leverage industry and community relationships for student benefit.
• Ability to manage time effectively in a part-time, adjunct instructional role.
• Ability to remain current with evolving entrepreneurial trends and tools.