UNC Charlotte establishes RA Session II School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Alumnus and biotech entrepreneur’s investment supports education, research, collaboration and hands-on learning to help students and entrepreneurs transform ideas into sustainable ventures
Story by Christy Jackson
UNC Charlotte has established the RA Session II School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Belk College of Business, creating new opportunities for students and entrepreneurs to develop their ideas through practical experience, mentorship and access to the University’s research and entrepreneurial resources. Founded through an investment by alumnus and serial biotech entrepreneur RA Session II ’02, the school reflects his conviction that aspiring entrepreneurs learn by doing.
“You can study entrepreneurship, but at some point, you have to take the risk of building something special. That means testing your ideas, learning from setbacks and having the courage to change course,” said Session, who also served as a standout goalkeeper for the NCAA-ranked men’s soccer team during his time at Charlotte. “My vision for this school is to provide students with that experience, as well as with mentors who have the resources that help them move forward.”
I want them to leave prepared to build businesses that solve problems and improve lives."
-RA Session II
In addition to supporting the school, Session is also investing in the bioinformatics program at the University. The Bioinformatics Building will be renamed Session Family Hall in recognition of his contributions to the University and the field.
“We are in the golden age of biotechnology, with an extraordinary opportunity to deliver personalized healthcare, improve patient outcomes, and lower costs at scale. Advances in the important and growing field of bioinformatics can transform how we prevent and treat disease, bringing more effective care to more people,” said Session.
His support will advance academic programs and research in both entrepreneurship and bioinformatics, with a particular emphasis on scholarships that will provide more students with the opportunity to pursue their ambitions.
“RA understands the difference an opportunity can make because he has experienced it himself,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “His investment will give more students the chance to pursue their ideas, learn from experienced entrepreneurs and build ventures here in Charlotte. We are grateful for his confidence in our students, our University and our region’s ecosystem.”
His investment will give more students the chance to pursue their ideas, learn from experienced entrepreneurs and build ventures here in Charlotte.”
-Sharon L. Gaber
Learning by doing
At the center of the school’s academic offerings is the new Master of Science in Entrepreneurship, the only program of its kind offered by a public university in North Carolina.
The one-year program pairs coursework with mentoring and access to incubator space at CO-LAB at UNC Charlotte Center City. Students participate in pitch events and connect with strategic corporate partners and potential investors as they work to bring a company or product to market.
The school’s initial academic programs also include an undergraduate certificate in entrepreneurship, a graduate certificate in corporate venturing and the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program.
“Entrepreneurs are essential to a region’s economy. They create jobs, bring new products to market and find better ways to meet people’s needs,” said Richard Buttimer, dean of the Belk College of Business. “Starting a venture means making decisions without having every answer. This school will give students opportunities to gain that experience while connecting them with people who can help them build businesses and contribute to the region’s success.”
This school will give students opportunities to gain that experience while connecting them with people who can help them build businesses and contribute to the region’s success.”
-Richard Buttimer
Connecting entrepreneurs with the region’s resources
Led by Laura J. Stanley, professor of management, the school brings together CO-LAB and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Through an external partnership with the Small Business and Technology Development Center, the school will extend its support to entrepreneurs throughout the community while serving students across academic disciplines.
The Session School will also connect students and entrepreneurs with UNC Charlotte’s broader ecosystem for research, innovation and industry collaboration. Through resources and partnerships across the University, including the Honeywell Innovation Hub, PORTAL and the Office of Research Translation and Industry Alliances (ORTIA), the school will help create pathways for ideas to move from discovery and development to market-ready ventures.
These connections will expand opportunities for students to work alongside researchers, engage with industry partners, evaluate commercial opportunities and develop solutions to real-world challenges. This work aligns with the University’s broader efforts to accelerate research commercialization and innovation-driven economic growth, including the NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas and the development of the North Tryon Tech Hub.
“This is an investment in people and what they can accomplish when someone believes in their potential,” Session said. “My hope is that we build a school that becomes a model for entrepreneurship education across the country and around the world. When our graduates create ventures that improve lives and open doors for others, the impact of this investment will extend far beyond our university and campus. That is what I’m founding and investing in.”
About RA Session II
A proud alumnus of the Belk College of Business, Session earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and is a member of the Zeta Delta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He was also a member of Charlotte’s nationally ranked men’s soccer program.
He holds a Master of Business Administration in strategic management and finance and a Master of Science in finance from Texas A&M University-Commerce. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration at the University of Houston’s C. T. Bauer College of Business.
As a biotechnology entrepreneur, he has founded numerous companies and has dedicated his career to translating scientific discoveries into opportunities to alleviate human suffering and improve lives.