New Leadership for the Melton Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The Melton Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MCEI) is under new leadership with a renewed vision and mission. Dr. Donald Mosley, Jr. is the incoming Executive Director of the MCEI, having recently stepped down as Chair of the Department of Management in the Mitchell College. Dr. Mosley has extensive experience as a consultant/facilitator for organizations in the public and private sectors, including the RSA Tower, Parsons Brinckerhoff, San Diego Padres, City of Fairhope, FEMA, Johnstone Adams Law Firm, Providence Hospital, Leadership Mississippi, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He leads a new team of Directors seeking to positively impact the university and regional communities.
Dr. Thomas Nelson joins the MCEI as the Director of Student Competitions. He will
be designing and implementing a variety of entrepreneurship contests and activities
for USA. Previously, he organized and directed a large elevator pitch competition
for the University of Cincinnati that include 200 student teams, with over 500 students.
He earned his master’s from Ball State University and his Ph.D. (Entrepreneurship)
from the University of Louisville. Thomas is a lifelong entrepreneur having started
several companies before earning his Ph.D., and has since assisted with or developed
entrepreneurship programs at three universities.
Ms. Jennifer Edwards is the new Director of External Projects. Her primary responsibility
will be to establish ongoing student businesses. Last year, she and the entrepreneurship
students started Coastal Organics, a farm to market distribution concept, which is
underway and Feeding the Gulf Coast is the community partner. Ms. Edwards also serves
as advisor to Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization CEO student organization in the
MCOB. Their focus is fostering entrepreneurial interests and providing USA students
with engagement opportunities in the community. Lastly, Ms. Edwards teaches in the
Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA). YEA is a collaboration with the Alabama School
of Math and Science and the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. The Mitchell College
of Business will participate in the program for the second year to teach high school
students the importance of business and process development and implementation.
Faculty and students are very excited about the new MCEI leaders and the experience they provide to our constituents and are looking forward to participating in the many events the Center has planned.