By Myles Gartland, Ph.D., dean of the College of Business and Technology and associate vice president for strategy and innovation, Rockhurst University
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In Rockhurst University's College of Business and Technology, we talk about entrepreneurship with purpose every single day. Not as a catchy phrase, but as a core principle rooted in who we are.
We’re proud to be located in Kansas City, and even prouder to be in the city for good. That simple phrase says everything about our approach to innovation. First, we want students to stay and build businesses here – for good. We want their ideas to grow into sustainable, job-creating ventures that strengthen the local economy. But it’s more than that. “For good” also reflects our purpose: to foster entrepreneurship that contributes to the social fabric of our communities.
It’s not just about starting a business. It’s about building something that lasts, and something that matters.
Creating More Than Shareholder Value
Too often, the entrepreneurial narrative stops at the IPO. You start in a garage, you grind, you scale and then you cash out. That’s one version of the story. But entrepreneurship with purpose asks a different set of questions: What happens to the neighborhood where your business is based? How do you treat your employees? What’s the ripple effect of your decisions?
We teach students to think in terms of stakeholders, not just shareholders. Yes, your investors matter, but so do your customers, your staff, your vendors and the people who live next door. That’s why ethical leadership isn’t a separate topic in our curriculum, it’s woven into every course. From change management to strategic planning, students learn that the how matters just as much as the what.
You can deliver bad news, like a layoff, but with empathy and respect. That’s part of the Jesuit concept of cura personalis, or care for the whole person. And it’s something the business world needs more of.
It’s Not Just Tech – It’s Thinking Differently
Many people hear “entrepreneurship” and immediately think of Silicon Valley, apps or the latest gadgets. But that’s a narrow view. At Rockhurst University, we help students see that is really just a way of thinking; a mindset for solving problems in new and better ways.
Our students are deeply socially minded. They see long-standing issues in our world and they’re asking, “Why hasn’t this been fixed yet?” That’s the beginning of entrepreneurship with purpose. Whether they’re working to improve housing, food access, education or health care, they’re using the same skills and innovation processes as any startup founder.
And they’re holding us accountable, too. They expect Jesuit business education to prepare them to lead ethically, advocate for equity and make decisions that serve the common good.
Reflection Is the Secret Sauce
Entrepreneurship can be thrilling, but it’s also tough. It requires long hours, resilience and more than a few difficult conversations. That’s why reflection and discernment are essential parts of the process.
Before you launch something new, you have to ask: Am I ready for this? Is my support system ready for this? What am I willing to risk, and what do I need to protect? These are big, personal questions. But they lay the groundwork for responsible, long-term leadership.
And once you’re in the thick of it, the reflection doesn’t stop. One of the best pieces of advice I’ve heard, courtesy of Barnett Helzberg, is: Put your worst foot forward. Don’t just talk about what’s going well. Be willing to recognize your weaknesses – the areas where you still have room to grow. That kind of honesty and humility leads to real growth and invites meaningful mentorship.
Innovation That Aligns with Mission
In my role as associate vice president for strategy and innovation, I constantly ask one question: Does this initiative align with our mission?
There are things we could do to increase revenue, sure, but if they’re not in line with who we are as a Jesuit institution, we won’t do them. That’s what it means to practice innovation for the greater good. It’s not innovation for innovation’s sake. It’s purpose-driven, mission-aligned growth that advances both our university and the community we serve.
We’re not here to chase trends. We’re here to transform lives.
Developing Talent That Strengthens Kansas City
One of the most important ways we live out our mission is through workforce development. As Kansas City grows, companies need skilled professionals who are ready to contribute on day one. That’s where we come in.
We don’t dream up degrees in a vacuum. We work closely with regional economic development organizations, industry leaders and our own alumni to understand what’s needed, both right now and in the future. Whether it’s tech, business, nursing or speech pathology, we’re building pathways that give our students meaningful opportunities to succeed and stay in the region.
That creates a multiplier effect: more jobs, stronger neighborhoods, healthier families and a more vibrant Kansas City. That’s the power of purpose.
A Builder’s Mindset
I didn’t always know I had an entrepreneurial streak. But over time, I realized that what I really love is building things. Programs. Partnerships. Ideas. I’m not the person starting something in a garage, but I am the person working across the table to launch something new within an organization, and to get it to grow. That’s intrapreneurship, and it’s just as vital.
It took time, and a lot of discernment, to figure that out. But now I lean into it. When something I’ve built reaches steady state, I’m already asking, “What’s next?” That drive to create, to evolve, to improve ... it’s what fuels both personal growth and institutional impact.
The Legacy I Hope We Leave
If there’s one thing I want every Rockhurst student to carry with them into the world, it’s this: Your actions impact a lot of people. Be mindful.
Stay true to your values. Keep a stakeholder mindset. And remember that business can, and should, be a force for good.
That’s what entrepreneurship with purpose is all about.