October 4, 2022
The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges, has named Dr. Jim Murdaugh NACCE’s 2022 “Entrepreneurial President of the Year.” Murdaugh has served as the sixth president of Tallahassee Community College since October 18, 2010. The award was announced at NACCE’s Annual Conference.
Murdaugh was named NACCE’s 2022 Entrepreneurial President of the Year for his leadership in entrepreneurial endeavors at TCC. A few examples include:
- Creation of “TCC Spark,” a program focused on equipping student entrepreneurs with the skills, tools, and connections needed to start and grow successful businesses.
- Launching the Wakulla Environmental Institute and the creation of the Oyster Aquaculture program which trains students in the emerging oyster-farming industry. The program is responsible for the startup of over 100 businesses and the creation of more than 300 new jobs in the local area.
- Hosting of “Entrepreneurship Educators Meet-ups,” linking educators across the country to share insights about entrepreneurship education.
“We are proud to honor President Murdaugh with NACCE’s Entrepreneurial President of the Year Award for 2022,” said Dr. Rebecca Corbin, president and CEO of NACCE. “Through his steadfast commitment to infusing entrepreneurial thinking and action through innovative programs at TCC, he shines a national spotlight on the value of entrepreneurial curriculum and programming among community colleges and beyond.”
“I am humbled by this recognition,” said Murdaugh. “Community colleges are the workforce engines for the regions they serve and I am proud that Tallahassee Community College has been able to stay nimble in providing innovative programs for our students. That requires a tolerance for taking calculated risks, but more importantly, it requires a hard-working and dedicated team. None of our successes would be possible without the amazing faculty, staff, and administrators at TCC. This award is a credit to all.”
About NACCE
NACCE is an organization of educators, administrators, presidents, and entrepreneurs focused on igniting entrepreneurship in their communities and campuses. NACCE has two main goals: to empower college leaders to approach the business of running a community college with an entrepreneurial mindset and to augment the community college's role in supporting job creation and entrepreneurs in their local ecosystems. NACCE has over 340 member colleges, representing nearly 2,000 members and approximately 3.3 million students. For more information, visit www.nacce.com.