Florida State University (FSU) is celebrating a remarkable achievement with the induction of Susana Santos, the Jim Moran Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, as a Justin G. Longenecker Fellow of the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE). This prestigious honor represents one of the highest recognitions in the field of entrepreneurship, highlighting her significant contributions to entrepreneurship education and research.
The Longenecker Fellow designation is not easily attained; it is reserved for those who have displayed sustained excellence, making a transformative impact on the discipline. Nomination is competitive, with each candidate required to demonstrate lasting contributions to both entrepreneurship scholarship and practical application. Dr. Santos’s induction reinforces FSU’s commitment to high-caliber entrepreneurship education.
Michael Morris from the University of Notre Dame nominated Santos, emphasizing her extensive leadership experience within USASBE. Her involvement includes essential roles such as board member, conference chair, and doctoral program leader. Morris also praised her scholarly contributions, particularly in examining how entrepreneurship can elevate communities and combat systemic poverty through sustainable economic development initiatives.
Jeff Hornsby, chair of the Longenecker Fellows and a professor at the University of Missouri Kansas City, commended Santos’s impactful work. “Dr. Santos exemplifies the spirit of the Longenecker Fellows,” Hornsby noted. He highlighted how her scholarship fosters a global dialogue around entrepreneurship’s role in poverty alleviation, while her leadership bolsters the USASBE community and cultivates the next generation of entrepreneurship scholars.
Santos’s research is multifaceted, concentrating on poverty alleviation, community-based entrepreneurship, and inclusive innovation. By exploring how entrepreneurial activities can catalyze social and economic mobility, her work not only informs academic discourses but also influences policy-making and practical strategies in diverse global contexts. Publications in leading academic journals underscore the relevance and rigor of her research efforts.
In a statement reflecting on Santos’s achievement, Susan Fiorito, dean of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, expressed pride in her recognition as a Longenecker Fellow. She stated, “Her dedication to research, teaching, and service exemplifies the excellence of our faculty and reflects the Jim Moran College’s commitment to advancing entrepreneurship that creates real and lasting impacts.” This endorsement highlights the college’s mission to foster entrepreneurial ecosystems that benefit society at large.
“We are incredibly proud to see Dr. Santos recognized as a Longenecker Fellow, one of the highest honors in entrepreneurship education. Her dedication to research, teaching, and service exemplifies the excellence of our faculty and reflects the Jim Moran College’s commitment to advancing entrepreneurship that creates real and lasting impact.”
– Susan Fiorito, dean of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship
Morris also shared insights into Santos’s impactful research and leadership role within USASBE, stating, “Susana’s career has been defined by intellectual rigor and purposeful impact.” He characterized her as a thought leader who challenges conventional notions of entrepreneurship in contexts marked by poverty and disadvantage. Additionally, he noted that her contributions have strengthened the global infrastructure supporting entrepreneurship education.
With this recognition, Santos joins an elite group, becoming the third FSU faculty member inducted as a Longenecker Fellow. Previous inductees include Eric Liguori, Jim Moran Professor and Associate Dean, and Wendy Plant, the retired executive director of the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship. This growing list of distinguished members underscores FSU’s leadership in entrepreneurship scholarship and education.
The honor not only brings recognition to Santos but also illuminates the increasing influence of the Jim Moran College in shaping conversations about entrepreneurship as a vital catalyst for economic development and social impact globally. FSU’s commitment to fostering environments where entrepreneurship can thrive promises to continue making a meaningful difference in various communities.
