Hillman Entrepreneurs: Determination Leads the Way

By Karen Lubieniecki, STAFF WRITER



Tomorrow's successful entrepreneurs are not found just in the halls of Harvard University. They may be seen at Prince George's Community College (PGCC), as well, which, starting this past fall, is collaborating with the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP), in a program that involves both campuses. A very special group of students is pioneering an approach to education and to entrepreneurship - and intrapreneurship - that emphasizes the qualities of determination and tenacity in addition to academics.

The Hillman Entrepreneur program was developed jointly in 2006 by Prince George's Community College, the University of Maryland and entrepreneur David Hillman and his wife, Susan, who put up $1.7 million to support the program. Its focus is on students who demonstrate entrepreneurial qualities but who might not otherwise qualify for, or be able to afford, an education at UMCP.

According to program founder David Hillman, those entrepreneurial qualities can be summed up by an approach to life that means "never, never, never giving up." Hillman, who owns Southern Management Company Inc., was committed to giving back to the Prince George's County community where he owns numerous properties.

Noting the correlation between education and success, in addition to determination, he's been quoted as saying, "When I was young and dumb, I not only didn't have much money, but I did not realize how much of an advantage [an education] would give me. ... I wanted to spare some people that have the right attitude some pain, and help give them a head start."



Potential for Success

Hillman Entrepreneurs receive a full scholarship, including books, to the community college for up to two years. With a PGCC courseload that is designed to prepare them for classes at College Park, they then transfer to UMCP, where all receive a $1,000 merit scholarship and, depending on financial need, up to $5,000 additional, covering two-thirds of their college costs. The students also receive additional training and opportunities to interact with business leaders, all geared to helping them become successful leaders in whatever entrepreneurial path they choose.

So far the program is going well. The first group of students from the program is now entering its second semester at UMCP. They can be found taking a variety of academic paths: seven are in finance, six in American studies, three in engineering, two in economics and one each in biology and education. The program supports students in any area of study, excepting social work and pre-law.

Entrepreneurial potential is the primary criteria for those chosen for the program. Applicants are evaluated on commitments and life experiences that demonstrate qualities that may make them successful entrepreneurs. Grades come second, though there is a requirement that they be able to handle college-level courses. Noted a report on the program describing those selected: "Determination and potential in [previous] academic programs ... were preferable to high-achieving students lacking in entrepreneurial spirit."



Learning to Make Dreams Into Reality

Students in the program reflect a wide diversity of ages, ethnicities and experiences. Some are just out of high school; others are in their 20s and 30s and may have attempted college previously. Most work full- or part-time jobs to support themselves and their families. Many have overcome serious adversity in their lives, from financial reverses and family tragedies, to failed businesses, to foreclosure. Some have already created a business, and others have dreams of specific businesses they want to create. For many, it is these previous business experiences and dreams that drove them to apply to the Hillman program.

As a 14-year-old, Robert Garrison had an idea for a sound music studio geared for church audiences. He even had a business plan. But the teen found that banks were reluctant to loan him money. Garrison was not discouraged. After attending PGCC, he arrived at College Park with a singular honor, in addition: He was the first person from PGCC to win a prestigious Tyser Regent Scholarship, which provides full tuition for his studies in the Smith School of Business.

Now entering his second semester at UMCP, the now-21-year-old took 16 credits his first semester and earned a 3.81 GPA. He also worked part-time for two radio stations, one in Annapolis and one in Falls Church. Along with his other Hillman classmates, he is learning what it means to lead - to inspire others to follow, to make decisions and understand their consequences. In short, he is absorbing the tools to make a dream a reality. Along the way he is also learning to dream bigger dreams. His goal today: to get a JD/MBA, work in the corporate world and get into private equity. And maybe, just maybe, someday he'd like to own a sports franchise.

Randy Ballard represents another element of the program - better business skills that already have pay-off potential and which show the value of intrapreneurial talent. Intrapreneurs have the ability to take control and "own" a job within an organization. Ballard is currently working with Gsecurity in a paid internship. Ajay Gupta, owner of Gsecurity, noted that the young man "takes on initiatives for the company, and represents the company as a member of the firm." These, he noted, are "not skills that your average college student has." Ballard, he said, is the "kind of person that can be assigned a division of a company, make it grow and make it successful."



Leading by Example

No one from Terri Brown's family had a college degree, and when this single mom's daughter reached the 11th grade, Brown decided her daughter needed an example to show her the way. But along the road to inspiring her daughter, Brown became part of the Hillman program, which is inspiring her to achieve more than she'd ever thought possible. Also working full-time at Walter Reed Medical Center, Brown's experience also reveals another aspect of the Hillman program that makes it unusual in the academic world: the commitment that Lisa Rawlings, PGCC program director, and Karen Thornton, her counterpart at UMCP, have made to the students' success.

As full-time parents, often with limited funds, and academic schedules that would break less determined students, Brown and other students note that both Rawlings and Thornton are there fighting for them all the time - whether helping them with studies or interceding with a sometimes unsympathetic academic bureaucracy. Noted Brown: "Lisa has even tutored me on a Sunday."

Rawlings and Brown reciprocate. Listening to them talk about the people in the Hillman program, there is a clear sense that they are more than simply professionally engaged. They have become advocates and believers, with the determination and dedication to the program's participants that illustrate the intrapreneurial traits the Hillman program celebrates.

What does the future hold for these students and for the program? As structured by the three partners, the program is being rigorously evaluated throughout, so that its results can be measured - and hopefully replicated.

As for the students, one of the Hillman Entrepreneurs program's surprises is the degree to which these now 50-odd students are creating bonds among themselves, becoming a mentoring and support network that is in itself an important element to its, and their, success. It is a safe bet that many of these people will emerge in the business scene in one capacity or another. There may even be a second generation. Terri Brown is encouraging one of her daughters to apply to the program - so their may be two generations of Hillman entrepreneurs on the horizon soon.