The Governor’s School for Entrepreneurship (GSE) fosters innovation, critical thinking, and a growth mindset while expanding students’ confidence and professional network.

In 2016, the inaugural session of the GSE hosted 54 young entrepreneurs at Marshall University. The GSE has allowed students to build skills and experiences to realize the dream of creating and running a small business.

The GSE is an accelerated program for interested future business owners. Students will learn about business models, design, and venture capital for innovative ideas. The GSE strives to build a vision for investing in West Virginia’s future. The GSE includes team competitions, expert-driven courses, and opportunities to launch new business ventures.

The GSE requires high schools and county boards of education to actively recruit and assist 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students during the application window. The school counselor should not be the only individual involved in recruitment. The GSE provides career technical education (CTE) students an opportunity to get involved in the Governor’s Schools program. High schools should share information about the GSE with all CTE instructors. Please use the flyer attached below to share this information in classrooms and with teachers who may be able to promote the program.

2024 GSE Flyer (for 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students)

High School Responsibilities

• Inform all qualifying students of their eligibility. Speak with students about the merit of the GSE.
• Post the flyer in multiple areas of the school.
• Inform students of the application.
• Applications are due by April 30th, 2024. Please share this deadline with interested students.
• The school counselor must print transcripts and first-semester student grades as required in the application.
• The school principal is required to sign a certification form. Please assist student applicants with this section of the application.
• The application requires two teacher recommendations. Please inform students to ask teachers for recommendations in a timely manner.
• The school may need to assist students when they create their “pitch” video.

County Contact Responsibilities

• Review all the information about the GSE on the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) website.
• Share information from the WVDE with all high schools and CTE centers.
• Communicate the PDF flyers with all high school principals and counselors to post and share with students and parents.

If you have questions, please contact Dustin Lambert, WVDE State Coordinator of West Virginia Governor’s Schools – dllambert@k12.wv.us or (304) 558-5325.

Thank you for your interest in the GSE at Marshall University. Please review the qualifications listed below before completing this part of the application.

The dates for the GSE are July 7-21, 2024.

This application and all the required components comprise the entire application process for GSE.

Required Qualifications

1. 1. Must be a current high school student in West Virginia with plans to attend next school year.

   2. Must be a West Virginia resident.

   3. Must be a current 9th, 10, or 11th grade student at the time of application. You may attend multiple years.

   4. Must have a grade-point average of at least 3.0

   5. Must have a recommendation from the school principal (include in your application).

   6. Must have a recommendation from two teachers (within the application)

   7. Must satisfy all immunization requirements according to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR). Non-public school and homeschooled students must provide proof of immunizations.

We strongly recommend you review the PDF version of this application before you begin. You will need all the supporting documents and video created before submitting the application. The PDF link is below:

PDF Application

The state deadline for application is Friday, April 30th, 2024.

2024 Governor’s School for Entrepreneurship Student Application

Application

If you have questions, please contact Dustin Lambert, WVDE State Coordinator of West Virginia Governor’s Schools – dllambert@k12.wv.us or (304) 558-5325.

Drop Off and Pickup

Please be advised, parents are required to drop off students on July 7^th and pick up students on July 21^st at Marshall University in Huntington, WV. 

Handbook and Itinerary

Student and Parent Information along with an itinerary are posted below. We share this information only to inform students and parents of expectations and what the experience may look like for the duration of the school

Information and events within the documents are subject to change as the hosting college/universities/organizations prepare for the summer. Please only use the information as a guide to what might be expected during GSE.

2023 GSE Student and Parent Information
2023 GSE Itinerary

The West Virginia Department of Education maintains a Facebook page to showcase students during each school. Please visit the page to view all the exciting activities going on throughout the summer. 

You may also view a short video and student testimonies of GSE on the Marshall University website.

Faculty

The GSE faculty, guest speakers, coaches, and judges are selected based on their expertise and experience in academic, professional, and/or clinical settings, which provides a robust residential experience for GSE attendees.

Residential Staff

The GSE residential staff are selected based on their experiences with entrepreneurship and/or creativity and demonstrated competencies in leadership, mentorship, and responsibility.

For information on applications, please contact the dean of the GSE:

• Olen York, olen.york@marshall.edu.