Dr. Briana Stenard

MBA Program Director and Associate Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship

Education

  • Ph.D., Strategic Management, Specializing in Entrepreneurship, Georgia Institute of Technology
  • BS, Economics, University of Georgia

After completing her PhD in Strategic Management at Georgia Tech, Dr. Briana Stenard joined the Mercer faculty in 2015. She teaches classes in strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Dr. Stenard has been actively involved in growing the entrepreneurship programming at Mercer, including organizing the annual Elevator Pitch competition and Next Big Idea competition. Her research focuses on the impacts of strategic human capital on the entrepreneurial careers of scientists and engineers. Dr. Stenard’s research has been published in top scholarly journals such as Organization Science, the Journal of Business Venturing Insights, and Small Business Economics. Her work has also been featured in the Harvard Business Review and the London School of Economics Business Review. She has presented her research at top national and international conferences. Additionally, Dr. Stenard has won multiple awards for the original experiential exercises she has created for her entrepreneurship and innovation courses.

Courses Taught

  • MGT 498/BUS 699: Strategic Management
  • MGT 427/ENT 610: Entrepreneurship
  • ENT 620: Innovation Management
  • PBA 655: Business Model Creation
  • ENT 630: Social Entrepreneurship
  • MGT 423: Organizational Behavior
  • MGT 363: Principles of Management

Specializations

  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Memberships

  • Academy of Management
  • Southern Management Association
  • Strategic Management Society
  • United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship
  • Venturewell
  • Innov8GA Planning Committee

Research Interests

Dr. Stenard’s research agenda lies at the intersection of management and entrepreneurship with a primary focus on the role of human capital in shaping entrepreneurial entry, performance, and exit. She also has a strong research interest in the effects of entrepreneurship on local economic growth. Additionally, Dr. Stenard has a research interest in entrepreneurship education and pedagogy.

Recent Publications

  • Stenard, B.S. (2021).“Interdisciplinary Skills for STEAM Entrepreneurship Education.” Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy – Special Issue on STEAM Entrepreneurship Education, 6(1), 32-59.
  • Higgins, M, Lacombe, D, Stenard, B.S., and Young, A. (2021). “Evaluating the Effects of Small Business Administration Lending on Growth.” Small Business Economics, 57(1), 23-45.
  • Stenard, B.S. (2020). “Are Transitions to Self-Employment Beneficial?” Journal of Business Venturing Insights, 12: E00131.
  • Stenard, B.S. (2019). “Considering a Job Change? Examine Your Motives First.” London School of Economics Business Review.
  • Stenard, B.S., and Sauermann, H. (2016). “Educational Mismatch, Work Outcomes, and Entry Into Entrepreneurship.” Organization Science, 27(4), 801-824.
  • Stenard, B.S. (2016). “Scientists Working Outside Their Fields Are More Likely to Become Entrepreneurs.” Harvard Business Review.
  • Stenard, B.S., Thursby, M., and Fuller, A. (2016). “Commercialization Strategies: Cooperation versus Competition.” In G. Libecap (Ed.), Advances in the Study of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Economic Growth, Volume 19. Technological Innovation: Generating Economic Results. Emerald Group Publishing Limited. 289-308.

Awards/Recognitions

  • 2022, Third place, USASBE 3E Excellence in Entrepreneurship Experiential Exercises Awards Competition
  • 2021, Mercer University Provost Exemplary Merit Award
  • 2021, Creditdonkey Expert Panelist for “What are Some Ways to Start a Business When you Don’t have Enough Capital?”
  • 2021, Third place, USASBE Research Idea Pitch Competition
  • 2021, People’s Choice Award Winner, USASBE Emerging Experiential Exercise Pitch Competition
  • 2021, First place Winner, USASBE (United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship) 3E Excellence in Entrepreneurship Experiential Exercises Awards Competition
  • 2020, WalletHub Expert Panelist for “2020 Best Business Credit Cards With Rewards”
  • 2019, Mercer University Provost Exemplary Merit Award for exemplary research, teaching, and service in Entrepreneurship
  • 2019, Finalist, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Moxie Award in the “Women on the Rise” Category
  • 2016, WalletHub Expert Panelist for “2016 Best & Worst Small Cities to Start a Business”
  • 2015, Kauffman Foundation Entrepreneurship Dissertation Fellowship Award Recipient

Contact Dr. Stenard

678.547.6142
stenard_bs@mercer.edu

3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30341
Business & Education Academic Building, Room 205