Job description

Merrilee Alexander Kick College of Business & Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneur in Residence Position Description

• Position Summary:The University Innovation Center at TWU seeks an experienced and visionary Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) to foster entrepreneurial thinking and drive startup activity across campus. The EIR will mentor students and faculty, encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration, and support the growth of early-stage ventures. This role also includes teaching up to one course per semester on entrepreneurship or innovation, managing a university-wide student pitch competition, and serving as an ambassador for the center’s initiatives.
• Appointment Details:
• Advise faculty on entrepreneurship curriculum and program development.
• Serve as a guest speaker in relevant courses.
• Engage and mentor students through one-on-one and group sessions focused on entrepreneurship and early-stage venture growth.
• Supervise and advise student entrepreneurial projects.
• Teach up to two courses per academic year (subject to departmental approval) on entrepreneurship, innovation, or venture creation.
• Design, launch, and manage an annual student pitch competition, including promotion, application review, coaching, and event execution.
• Lead workshops, guest lectures, and community-building activities related to startup development and entrepreneurial leadership.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and external partners to expand the center’s innovation ecosystem.
• Facilitate connections between students and industry experts, potential investors, and startup resources.
• Advise on strategic programming and outreach to advance the Merrilee Alexander Kick Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s mission.
• Serve as the primary advisor for students participating in entrepreneurship programs, helping them set goals, apply innovative frameworks, and overcome challenges.
• Support and advise entrepreneurs affiliated with the Merrilee Alexander Kick Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, connecting them to appropriate resources and programs.
• Assist students and program participants in preparing for pitch competitions and related opportunities.
• Represent the Merrilee Alexander Kick Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at information sessions and recruitment events.
• Build and maintain a regional network of entrepreneurial resources for the College.
• Develop outreach initiatives to strengthen entrepreneurship among TWU students and the wider community.
• Engage with local entrepreneurs and organizations in Denton, Dallas, and Houston.
• Support the university’s broader mission of student learning and professional growth.
• Proven experience as a founder, co-founder, or executive in one or more startup ventures.
• Experience advising aspiring and first-time entrepreneurs.
• Demonstrated success in early-stage company growth, fundraising, and business model development.
• Passion for mentoring and inspiring students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
• Strong knowledge of entrepreneurial methodologies, including Lean Startup and customer discovery.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Experience in teaching, workshop facilitation, or public speaking is highly desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

Part-Time Appointment | 50% Commitment | On-Campus 2-3 Days/Week

Key Responsibilities:

Program Development & Teaching

Entrepreneurial Advising & Student Engagement

Outreach & Ecosystem Development

Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a founder, co-founder, or executive in one or more startup ventures.
• Experience advising aspiring and first-time entrepreneurs.
• Demonstrated success in early-stage company growth, fundraising, and business model development.
• Passion for mentoring and inspiring students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
• Strong knowledge of entrepreneurial methodologies, including Lean Startup and customer discovery.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Experience in teaching, workshop facilitation, or public speaking is highly desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

Texas Woman’s University, an AA/EEO employer, provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected category, class or characteristic.

All offers of employment will be contingent on the candidate’s ability to provide documents which establish proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Positions at Texas Woman’s University deemed security-sensitive require background checks and verification of all academic credentials.

If you are a male between the age of 18 and 25, federal law requires that you must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. Under HB 558, enacted by the 76th Texas State Legislature, if you are currently of the age and gender requiring registration with Selective Service, but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for employment with an agency in any branch of Texas state government. For additional information regarding registration or status, you can contact the Selective Service System at 847-688-6888 or www.sss.gov.

TWU strives to provide an educational environment that affirms the rights and dignity of each individual, fosters diversity, and encourages a respect for the differences among persons. Discrimination or harassment of any kind is considered inappropriate.

How to apply

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TWU is committed to equal opportunity in employment and education and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, age, veteran’s status, genetic information, or against qualified disabled persons.