Department News

– Justin Urso led student orientation for the 2023 Master of Science in Product Innovation cohort in August.

Walton College Launches Master of Science in Product Innovation

The new graduate program, which promotes product innovation and management, launched its inaugural class on August 17.

September 25, 2023 | By Lori McLemore

Jake B. Grandy, associate professor at Walton College

Ice Cream, Activism and Business Revenue

SEVI's Jake Grandy and his co-researcher Shon Hiatt look at activism and how it effects government regulators and industry.

July 5, 2023 | By Lori McLemore

The Business of Outdoor Recreation: Earn a Micro-Certificate

Love biking, camping, fishing or hiking? Earn an Outdoor Products and Services Micro-Certificate to learn the business side of outdoor recreation.

March 22, 2023 | By Lori McLemore

Student-Run Business Spotlight: Nicholas Prentiss

"Venture creation and entrepreneurship has been a burning desire in me since I was a kid."

January 24, 2023 | By Grant Schol

Study: Stock Purchases by Senators Generate Abnormal Returns for Firms

Researchers based study on public perception of politicians as unethical, having privileged information.

October 20, 2022

Microphone facing speaker in front of crowd of people

The Executive as Outlier: How Firms Adapt to Political Opposition

What role do politics play in firm management? Find how executives influence their firm's lobbying and investment strategies based on the political environment.

October 18, 2022 | By Jack Travis, Jason Ridge

A biker riding on a Northwest Arkansas trail. Photo by Michael Gjellum.

Walton College Launches Master of Science in Product Innovation Program

The degree targets recent graduates and mid-career professionals who want to develop skills to launch products in a startup or innovative environment.

September 29, 2022 | By Lori McLemore

Business Rivalries: Tensions in the Entrepreneur – Investor Relationship

Building a successful business requires the perfect business partner. But what if the relationship sours? Learn about managing office interpersonal dynamics.

August 30, 2022 | By Mitchell Simpson, Oleg Petrenko

Callander and Cummings Recognized with Schulze Publication Award

The authors explore how to bridge the gap between art and business.

July 8, 2022

Animated photo of man giving a speech with analytics

Disclosure Disagreements: How Transparent Should Firms Be?

Should firms disclose everything? Analyzing transparency in firm disclosure practices reveals links to clarity, increased scrutiny, and types of stakeholders.

June 14, 2022 | By Mitchell Simpson, Jake Grandy

Episode 173: How to Incorporate Human Centered Design and Entrepreneurship Into Your Career with Cara Osborne

Joining Matt on this week's episode is Cara Osborne, Assistant Professor within the Walton College in the Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Venture and Innovation Department.

May 4, 2022 | By Matt Waller

Group of young professionals working on project with

Above Board: How Independent Directors Facilitate Strategic Change

Independent board members provide much-needed fresh perspective in the wake of a CEO transition, especially when the outgoing CEO stays on as a board member.

April 21, 2022 | By Mitchell Simpson, Michael Cummings

Using Diversity to Improve Educational Experiences at the U of A

This session with Rogelio Garcia Contreras and Jackie Wiersma-Mosley will highlight inclusive teaching practices that support all U of A students. Join the talk from 1:30-2:30 p.m. today via Zoom.

March 30, 2022

Woman standing at a desk with vibrant photos behind her

What Artists and Entrepreneurs Can Teach One Another

It's often said that art and business are like oil and water: they don't mix. Find out what Walton scholars are doing to correct this misperception..

March 29, 2022 | By Abbi Ross, Adrienne Callander, Michael Cummings

Heartland Challenge; Credit: Cari Humphry

Student Startup Teams to Compete for $110,000 Cash Prize Pool in U of A's Heartland Challenge

Twelve graduate startup teams across North America will compete this spring in the third annual Heartland Challenge, a competition designed to simulate the process of raising venture capital for a high-growth enterprise.

March 28, 2022

Assistant Professor Rogelio Garcia Contreras receives the Service Learning Outstanding Teaching Award.

Garcia Contreras Recipient of Outstanding Contribution to Service Learning Teaching Award

Rogelio Garcia Contreras, teaching assistant professor and director of social innovation in Walton College, received the 2021-22 Outstanding Contribution to Service Learning Teaching Award.

March 17, 2022

The McMillon Studio is Advancing Product Management Knowledge

Product management is a skill whose value will only increase as time passes. Find out what the McMillon Studio is doing to prepare its students for success.

March 11, 2022 | By Stephen Caldwell

Thinking about a Career in Product Management? Here’s the Path

Product management is a vital part of today's business landscape. Find out how you can turn your interest into a secure and successful career.

March 9, 2022 | By Stephen Caldwell

The Surprising Realities of Product Management

When it comes to product management, there's more than meets the eye. Learn what it is, how it works, and why it's necessary for success in business.

March 7, 2022 | By Stephen Caldwell

The Nature of the Humble CEO

CEOs aren't known for their humility, but humility is known to benefit CEOs. Find out how this virtue can be responsible for greater quarterly earnings.

February 28, 2022 | By Jeff Wright, Oleg Petrenko

Confessions of an Entrepreneur: Some Practical Advice for Your Startup

We can all talk about various methods to develop our business plans or test the market acceptance for a new product idea, but how about we spend a little time in the weeds going over some stuff that startup founders should really be thinking about and doing?

September 22, 2021 | By Mark Zweig

Rogelio Garcia Contreras; Credit: Rachel Grunert

Rogelio Garcia Contreras Named 2020-21 Service Learning Committee Member of the Year

Rogelio Garcia Contreras, a teaching assistant professor who has taught two service learning classes in Walton College, directed multiple service-learning-based honors theses.

September 8, 2021

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New Program at U of A to Support Outdoor Recreation Entrepreneurs

A new program is being developed at the U of A that will train and support regional entrepreneurs focused on outdoor recreation-oriented hospitality, service and experience businesses, as well as outdoor industry product design and development start-ups.

September 8, 2021

Episode 136: Alan Ellstrand on Assurance of Learning and How Walton College Is Closing the Loop

In this episode of Be EPIC, Matt is joined by Alan Ellstrand, associate dean for programs and research and professor in the Department of Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Venture Innovation at the Sam M. Walton College of Business.

August 18, 2021 | By Matt Waller

Goforth Joins NWA Council Executive Committee

Sarah Goforth, executive director of the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, will join the NWA Council Executive Committee.

July 16, 2021

Jared Greer, center, receives the winner's check at the 2018 SEC Student Pitch Championship, with Carol Reeves, left, of the U of A, and Blake Petty, right, of Texas A&M University.

Local Startup Lapovations Awarded $100,000 Small Business Award

The grant builds on a similar $1 million Small Business Innovation and Research award Lapovations received from the National Science Foundation in 2020.

June 15, 2021

Students in Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and Venture Innovation Get Practical Real World Experience at Walton College

Our program is not only practical, but it can provide some potentially life-changing experiences for our students.

May 14, 2021 | By Mark Zweig

Innovation and Entrepreneurship: No Same-Old, Same-Old Degree

The program is unique in that it caters to students who don’t want to wait for graduation to start their venture or work on innovative projects. Many, in fact, use class projects and competitions as a launching pad for starting a business while still in college.

December 10, 2020 | By Stephen Caldwell