X

Campus Operating Status: The university is open and operating, and classes are proceeding on a normal schedule.

Rutgers School of Business – Camden

Rutgers–Camden School of Business Launches Two Community-Based Small Business Training and Certification Programs

Professional and Executive Education at Rutgers (PEER) and the Small Business Development Center (NJSBDC), two units of Rutgers School of School–Camden (RSBC), have partnered to successfully roll out two grant-funded, community-based small business and entrepreneurship certificate programs in Camden and Salem counties in New Jersey. The program in Camden is being funded by Camden Cares of the Enterprise Center of New Jersey, and the program in Salem County was funded by a grant from the US Department of Agriculture. These cohort-based programs combine NJSBDC’s expertise in supporting business startups with the offerings of PEER, which is known for its emphasis on developing long-term leadership and business sustainability skills. Both three-month hybrid programs culminate with a project that consists of an initial business plan and an “elevator pitch” that these small business owners and entrepreneurs can employ to secure financing, establish strategic partnerships, and hire a workforce that will support their success.

The programs represent a focused effort by leadership to deliver on its commitment to societal impact. RSBC Dean Monica Adya notes, “as a business school anchored in South Jersey, RSBC takes seriously our responsibility to uplift our business and community partners. This includes delivering value through everything we do. This partnership between two important RSBC-supported units, SBDC and PEER, is exciting as it helps deliver on our vision to support economic transformation in the region, one engagement at a time.” Peter McAliney, Director of PEER, adds “the combination of these two units offers small business owners and entrepreneurs’ support at all stages of their company’s life – startup, growth, and sustainability. The participants in these two pilot programs will have access to a variety of resources from our business school as well as the SBDC housed on campus.”

A key aspect of the program includes access to SBDC consultants who advocate for small business owners and provide support in essential areas, such as business basics, business plan writing, sales and marketing, and securing financing as well as any specific industry-related topics that are relevant to the business. “The programs have been both rewarding and productive as the small business owners in Salem and Camden have been engaged and eager to learn, apply, and raise their businesses to the next level,” states Robert Palumbo, Director of the SBDC.

Colleen Vann, Director of the Camden Cares Business Center, sees what many others responsible for economic development see a gap where entrepreneurs have leapt into running their businesses without having received mentorship and learning related to operations and business development. The Rutgers–Camden program allows businesses in their service area to grow sustainably and provide valuable products, services, and job opportunities to communities. “When Peter McAliney and Bob Palumbo approached me with the idea of a leadership training program for growing small businesses, it took our initial concept to a whole new level,” states Vann, “there is something special about a longer-term program like this, where I get to develop a closer relationship with the business owners who participate and truly learn about them and their stories.” Vann summarized, “entrepreneurs from the program have already told me how much my enthusiasm and encouragement has made them feel welcome and eager to participate in the Leadership for Growing Small Businesses program!”

Professional and Executive Education at Rutgers (PEER)
Learn more at professional.rutgers.edu, on LinkedIn, on Twitter, or on Facebook.
Small Business Development Center (NJSBDC) at Rutgers-Camden
Learn more at https://rsbdc.org, on LinkedIn, or on Facebook

Scroll to Top

Request More Information

BLDP Executive Shadowing Application v2

This form is set to automatically delete an entry 180 days after it has been submitted.

"*" indicates required fields

* Indicates a required field.

Student Information

Major(s)*
Minor(s)

Shadowing

Preferred Work Environment
Preferred Area of Work*

Signatures

If I am chosen and matched with an executive, I will follow through and prepare a one-page report giving honest feedback about the experience. The written summary is due by the start of the next semester. By typing my name in the box to the right I am offering my digital signature in lieu of my handwritten signature.

After the shadowing event, I will write a personal thank you letter to the executive and copy Dr. Kaufman-Scarborough and Ms. Bridget Britton for their records. By typing my name in the box to the right I am offering my digital signature in lieu of my handwritten signature.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

After notified of a match, students are responsible for providing personal information to the matched executive (e.g., current resume and cover letter with information on career ambitions). The information on this application is for internal use only, for us to match you as well as possible with and executive from among our alumni database.

BLDP Application

The Spring 2023 Application is now open! 

Priority will be given to applications received by November 18. Applications are accepted until all seats are filled. Space is limited, so apply early!

The seminar application process is our gateway for entry into the program. Upon acceptance into BLDP, students will be emailed their acceptance letter plus a special permission number allowing registration for the BLDP seminar.

Requirements

Seminar applications are solicited each semester and require the following:

  1. Completed application form (at the bottom of this page),
  2. For students with GPA 3.0 – 3.49, two (2) letters of recommendation (one academic; one other)

Rutgers-Camden students are invited to apply to apply for enrollment in the BLDP seminar. All applicants are expected to meet both of the following selection criteria:  (1) have sophomore standing or above and (2) have an overall GPA of 3.0 or above. First-semester transfer students will be evaluated based on their GPA earned at Rutgers. Students who fail to meet these admission criteria may still be allowed to apply for (and possibly enroll in) the BLDP seminar, but they will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

The director balances evaluations to make final decisions on people accepted for the seminar (up to a maximum of 15-20 each semester).

Students who are admitted to the BDLP are required to adopt the BLDP Code of Conduct. A signed contract is required from each student.

Students may count activities toward “leadership units” that were initiated prior to taking a seminar, as long as those activities occured primarily during their enrollment in their academic program.

Application for Admission to BLDP Seminar

Applications for the BLDP Seminar will be ongoing until class is filled.

BLDP Program Application

This form is set to automatically delete an entry 180 days after it has been submitted.

  • * Indicates a required field.

  • Contact Information

  • Academic Information

  • Please enter a number from 0 to 500.
  • Transfer students only.
  • Employment Information

  • List relevant employment history

  • EmployerPositionDates of Employment 
  • School Leadership Information

  • Provide evidence of leadership initiative while enrolled in school by listing all school-based organizations and activities in which you have held a leadership role while a student.

  • OrganizationRoleDates 
  • Community Leadership Information

  • Provide a list of community or volunteer activities in which you engaged in a leadership role.

  • OrganizationRoleDates of Activity 
  • Statement

  • In your own words (100-350), discuss the reasons why your application should be considered for the Business Leader Development Program, including what you hope to gain from the program and what you can contribute.

  • Additional Submission Instructions

  • If you need to submit two reference letters, please email them to ldrshp@camden.rutgers.edu. Ideally, you should receive one letter from an academic source (e.g., a former or current instructor), and one from a business source (e.g., a former employer - even if for a part-time or volunteer position).

    Please only submit one application. If you experience any technical problems or need to submit the application again, please contact ldrshp@camden.rutgers.edu.

    Thank you.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.