August 20, 2012
Dr. Linda M. Sama, Associate Dean of the Tobin College of Business
and Joseph F. Adams Professor of Management, has received the 2012
Innovation in Entrepreneurship Pedagogy Award from the Academy of
Management (AOM) Entrepreneurship Division and McGraw Hill in
recognition of her social entrepreneurship course, GLOBE (Global
Loan Opportunities for Budding Entrepreneurs).
This award, presented to individuals who develop and implement an
innovation in entrepreneurship pedagogy for either graduate or
undergraduate education, was presented at the annual Academy of
Management Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. The AOM
received 27 nominations for the award and chose to honor GLOBE due
to its unique delivery, systemic change potential and hands-on
learning approach. The award included a cash prize, which Dr.
Sama has donated to GLOBE.
GLOBE is a student-managed microloan program that provides loans,
sourced through donations, to entrepreneurs in the world’s most
impoverished communities with the goal of helping those living in
poverty elevate themselves to a higher standard of living. Class
members act as social entrepreneurs as they manage a business with
social aims. Students concurrently learn about the intricacies of
micro-lending policies in the developing world and the value of a
social business in helping the poor in society to help themselves.
To date, GLOBE operates in four countries on two continents and has
distributed 37 loans, including one 14-person group loan,
benefitting a total of 51 borrowers. Upon receiving the
AOM-McGraw Hill award, Dr. Sama commented on the dual benefits of
the program. “In transforming the lives of others, GLOBE
simultaneously transforms students and their world view. No
longer can they believe in the futility of one person’s efforts.
Their every action makes a difference, and the impact from what
occurs in a classroom here in Queens is felt on the other side of
the world.”
In addition to the GLOBE program and multiple academic
contributions, Dr. Sama has recently initiated the establishment of
a Center for Global Business Stewardship in the Tobin College
designed to develop, promote and showcase the research, learning
and practice activities of faculty, students, alumni and global
scholars related to socially responsible business leadership.
The Center, co-directed by Dr. Mitch Casselman, will encompass
programs that provide students with the opportunity to study global
issues within a business context and develop ideas to improve
global ethical business.
Pictured from left to right: Anke Weekes (McGraw Hill), Linda
Sama (St. John's University), Linda Edelman (Bentley University and
Chair of the Entrepreneurship Pedagogy Award Committee) and Mike
Wright (Imperial College London and Entrepreneurship Division
Chair)
About the Peter J. Tobin College of Business
The Peter J. Tobin College of Business has provided a high-quality
business education for over eighty years, offering individuals from
throughout the world the opportunity to study in New York’s dynamic
business environment. The innovative curriculum emphasizes an
analytic and hands-on understanding of business practice that
prepares graduates to excel in today’s global marketplace.
If you would like information about The Peter J. Tobin College of
Business, contact Asia Hauter at (718) 990-6218 or hautera@stjohns.edu.