In 2007, three UF students in a business research class taught by S. Chris Ward, Ed.D., assistant professor of business, were invited to be the only student presenters at Biz Day at the Capitol (www.ohiobizday.org) small business expo in Columbus, Ohio, hosted by the Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) of Ohio.
   
The business research class is taught by both Ward and Dan Yates, Ph.D., associate professor of business, in alternating semesters. The curriculum was implemented in fall 2006.
 
At the expo, the business majors talked about their real-world experience working with a local small business as part of the course. They helped the business owners complete marketing research and develop ideas to improve and grow the business. Other teams in the same research class did the same with different local small business owners. Many of the business owners implemented the recommendations and suggestions of the students.
   
Members of the Ohio SBDC at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce heard the presentation and were so impressed with the partnership between UF and the SBDC that the group wants to duplicate the same program in the Toledo region. In late June, Ward, Yates and SBDC adviser Craig Brown shared best practices and hints on successful implementation and sustainability of the program at a presentation in Toledo.
   
This fall, Ward and Yates anticipate working with faculty and students at the University of Toledo to implement a similar program into UT’s business curriculum.