Hillman

home
students
team
criteria
apply
photos
contact
directions

Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Scholarship

The Hillman Entrepreneurs Program is an innovative educational initiative tailored to the needs of transfer students who begin their study at the Prince George’s Community College and complete their bachelor's degrees at University of Maryland, College Park.

The four-year Hillman Entrepreneurs Program is a scholarship program targeted to students who have an interest in entrepreneurship and an enthusiasm for starting a business venture or leading a company.

The Program

The program was established through the generous $1.7 million gift provided by David and Suzanne Hillman and offers a new model in education. Students who might not otherwise be able to afford a college education are now starting their college career at Prince George’s Community College on full scholarship, including books, and then they transfer seamlessly to Maryland in pursuit of their bachelor’s degree. At Maryland, students receive 2/3 of their tuition, books and a $1,000 merit scholarship.

—But this program is not just about scholarships. It offers entrepreneurship and leadership courses, intense mentoring, networking opportunities, and community building to each of the students in the program.  The program is about building the ethical leaders of tomorrow’s local economy. Just as David and Suzanne Hillman are giving back to the community that has brought them success, these Hillman Entrepreneurs are expected to contribute to the economic growth of the community and to help others who follow after them succeed.

The Launch

The Hillman Entrepreneurs Program launched in Fall 2006 with the selection of the first cohort of 20 students attending Prince George’s Community College. The program will add 20-25 students each year. At steady state, there will be four cohorts, one for each academic year. Beginning Fall 2007, the first cohort of juniors will arrive at Maryland. These first Hillman Entrepreneurs are expected to graduate from Maryland in Spring 2009. While students join a cohort when they enter based on how long they expect to be at PGCC and their expected graduation date for the associate’s degree, the program can add students to cohorts to keep the class size balanced over time. This process allows students to have the opportunity to join the program later if they missed the opportunity as an incoming freshman.