CRAIG WATTERS

Biography

Craig Watters joins the School of Entrepreneurship as the Norman C. Stevenson Chair in School of Entrepreneurship in Entrepreneurship, beginning Fall 2011. Craig is an accomplished scholar, educator, entrepreneur, manager, and economic developer. He comes to OSU from the top-ranked entrepreneurship program at Syracuse University, where he has led of portfolio of educational and community engagement initiatives. He has worked with faculty across an array of disciplines on curriculum development and outreach programs related to creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. Craig helped conceptualize and launch the highly successful South Side Entrepreneurial Connect Project, which has contributed to the transformation of an economically-challenged inner city community. He has served as assistant dean for advancement in the School of Information Studies at Syracuse, and director of its economic stimulus center, the I-Launch Pad. His research and community work led to his nomination for an economic development award from Senator Hillary Clinton in 2003 and travel to Ireland as part of Clinton's trade mission in 2002.

A former manager at General Electric and the Syracuse Research Corporation, Craig has extensive experience in project management and contracts administration. In addition to his corporate experience, Craig has launched two successful ventures. His recent publications include "Inner City Engagement and the University: Interaction, Emergence & Transformation," Entrepreneurship and Regional Development, (2011). Craig holds bachelor's, master's of science and Ph.D. degrees from Syracuse University. His dissertation examined the impact of infrastructure on economic development in rural areas.