Creating A Business And Consumer Bridge Between Campus And Community

Bowie State University Looks To Welcome The Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community

Bowie State University President Dr. Aminta Breaux

By Kia Lisby
Many dynamics and structures have been altered in 2020 to fit the “new normal” of society, to help ensure the nation’s health and well-being. Though this year has been trying and uncertain,
some things remain constant.

At the end of August or the day after Labor Day, students around the United States prepare to go back to school each year.

From Target and Walmart commercials to STAPLES and Marshalls shopping trips, the preparation of getting school supplies, clothes and uniforms are unmatched for the beginning of the new school year.

The first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the state of Maryland, Bowie
State University, is the epitome of campus change during a global pandemic and virtual classes. Founded in 1865 as Baltimore Normal School for Colored Teachers, Bowie State went through many name changes throughout the century before its final renaming in 1988 as Bowie State University.

The university has been led by 10 presidents including its current, Dr. Aminta Breaux. As a
graduate of Temple University holding a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in
psychological services in education from the University of Pennsylvania, and a doctorate in
counseling psychology from Temple University, she is the first female president of Bowie State.
Since 2017, Breaux has been a driving force to the recent successes of the university including its most recent project, the Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community.

The facility will become the new home to the BSU Entrepreneurship Academy and the Bowie Business Innovation Center (Bowie BIC).

The $42 million, 106,000 square foot public-private partnership is substantially funded with tax-exempt bonds through the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO). The construction development team includes Balfour Beatty Construction, Smoot Construction, and President Breaux said her vision for the facility started with making sure that Bowie is “bridging learning environments from the classroom to outside of the classroom experiences and making sure that students have experiential learning.”

The university’s campus sits back away from traffic and visibility, passing through route 197. President Breaux would often hear from neighbors that they were oblivious to the many features at BSU because they could not see the campus. Having that thought in mind, the location of the building is strategic and intentional.

“It is intended to ensure that this building is more of a gateway building to the large [BSU] community.”
Since BSU is a public institution, Breaux wanted to open the university up to the larger community. She wants the community to “see that we are here for the public, preparing our students to go back to the communities, to enrich their communities”.

A Look And Feel for Possible BSU Grab N Go And Shops

Not only will the new facility be a learning and creative space for entrepreneurs, it will also be a residence hall to over 500 students. On a recent count, enrollment is up to over 6,200 students this year from over 6,100 last year. This facility will provide more housing for the growing on-campus student life.

The Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community will also include retail space. With more information to come, the goal is to have a grab n go and coffee shop for students and members of the community who are driving past the campus. Plans also include space for aspiring student entrepreneurs to utilize, to serve students’ needs such as cosmetics and hair care services.

The facility will have smart classrooms with technology that “makes the classroom and the support for students more accessible”.

With COVID-19, virtual classes and programs have been altered and the use of technology has been changing. Fortunately, there will be further discussions on the future of the infrastructure that will go into the state-of-the-art facility.

When students can safely attend college on campus, the building will allow for maker space.

“Maker space will allow students to get mentoring and guidance in building a product or creating a new business”, especially students who are a part of BSU Entrepreneurship Academy and the Bowie Business Innovation Center (Bowie BIC).

Though the new facility is a large add-on to the campus, Bowie benefits the community by providing jobs to students, staff, faculty, and other members of the community.

President Breaux recognizes the importance of investing in, nurturing and producing entrepreneurs, especially within the county.

“Over 80% of the businesses in Prince George’s County are small businesses. So, we are contributing back by providing our graduates who are developing new products, new businesses, and contributing back to the larger community in Prince George’s County, and throughout the region.”

“Staying focused on the strategic plan by developing academic programs and delivering programs in a way that meets the needs of the students” are the ultimate goal for the current and future successes of Bowie State.

The Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community is looking to open in the fall of 2021. For information about the facility or to view past and live footage of the building’s progress visit

https://bowiestate.edu/about/administration-and-governance/division-of-administration-and-
finance/office-of-facilities-management/capital-projects/entrepreneurship-living-learning-
community/.