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Social Entrepreneurship
Project Description: We will examine the ways that local organizations are facing the challenges of economic decline and demographic transitions in Trenton. These challenging conditions affect both community residents and the government, business, and nonprofit organizations that compose the organizational infrastructure of the community. In particular, we will investigate the availability of human, financial, and technical assistance resources that are necessary to support the nonprofit and business communities in an environment that faces additional short-term difficulties in a challenging long-term environment. For an example of the type of research that may be conducted, please see the social entrepreneurship project from 2007.
David Prensky directs Leadership Programs for the Public Good at TCNJ where he is also a faculty member in the School of Business. The Public Good programs include the Nonprofit Management Program for senior executives of New Jersey community organizations; programs in Entrepreneurship for the Public Good; and the TCNJ Leadership Initiative. Dave was responsible for coordinating the College’s community outreach efforts as the founding Director of the Bonner Center for Civic and Community Engagement from 2004 to 2007. These efforts included community engaged learning and civic and community leadership programs; national and state AmeriCorps programs; the Bonner Community Scholars Program; and the Leadership Programs for the Public Good. Dave also served as the Dean of the School of Business from 2000 to 2004, where he led an AACSB accredited undergraduate program with over 1000 students and 35 faculty. Dave received a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Chicago, an M.A. from Indiana University, and a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania. Dave’s academic work was in the areas of organizations and organizational research, where he focused on nonprofit organizations and public policy issues. He began his professional career in advertising and marketing research, producing strategic analyses for clients of the national advertising agencies Needham Harper Worldwide and N.W. Ayer.
Johanna Soto is a Sociology Major with a concentration in Urban and Ethnic studies and a minor in public policy. Soto is a Trenton resident and former Trenton Public schools’ student. Her every day experiences in Trenton are what inspired Soto to major in Sociology. Soto has witnessed the many problems that Trenton continues to face in their public school system as well as in their neighborhoods. Soto’s long term goals are to possibly master in Public Policy and give back to her community. She is aware that the City of Trenton is in desperate need of help and she hopes to one day help improve the school system. In addition, Soto has an interest in environmental and immigration issues which are currently affecting Trenton. Overall, Soto’s ambition has allowed her to become an exception of the Trenton Public School system, and will later allow her to achieve her goals.
