FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FROM: Nancy Gardner (206) 543-2580
nancylou@u.washington.edu

DATE: September 21, 2006

The University of Washington's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship graduate program has been ranked the fifth best in the country according to Entrepreneur magazine. The results of the survey, along with the analysis, appear in the October issue of the monthly magazine, which hits newsstands September 26.

With the announcement of the survey results, a growing number of students selecting entrepreneurship as a focus of their studies now have a credible resource for locating the top educational providers in this field.

"With Seattle's reputation as an entrepreneurial hub, it's only natural that CIE and the University would be equally entrepreneurial," said Connie Bourassa-Shaw, the Center's director. "The rankings are great—and I'm delighted that we hold the number five spot among graduate programs—but the real story revolves around our students and their connections within the entrepreneurial community. What's not to like about working with smart, passionate, collaborative people?"

Now celebrating its 15th year, CIE was created to inspire entrepreneurial thinking and provide the resources that enable UW students and faculty to bring their entrepreneurial ambitions to life. Approximately 90 graduate students from across campus are currently enrolled in the center's certificate programs, and nearly every MBA student takes at least one entrepreneurship course during his or her time at the UW.

The rankings are based upon a number of criteria, including the entrepreneurial emphasis of the curriculum, mentoring, experiential learning, faculty credentials, and the success of graduating students and alumni. High-ranking schools demonstrated a commitment to practical, hands-on experiential learning to provide the skills that translate into real-world businesses.