Stapleton to Receive University Educator of the Year Award
Dr. James Stapleton, assistant professor of
management at Southeast Missouri State University, has been named the
2010 Cape Girardeau Chamber Chamber of Commerce University Educator of
the Year.
Stapleton will receive his award May 4 at the annual Educator of the
Year banquet and awards presentation at The Plaza by Ray’s.
Four other educators will be honored May 4 along with Stapleton.
They include Crystal Cerny of Cape Central High School, Mark Cook of
Jefferson Elementary, Tracy Haggerty of Cape Central Junior High and
Virginia Sander of St. Vincent de Paul Parish School.
“It is quite an honor to receive this award from the Cape Girardeau
Area Chamber of Commerce, which contributes so much to the quality of
our businesses and community,” Stapleton said. “I am humbled to join the
terrific educators at the University that have received this award in
the past and appreciate being recognized for the efforts I make.
“I truly enjoy the privilege of assisting students and individuals in
the community who are pursuing their dreams and entrepreneurial
ambitions,” he said. “I would like to recognize my colleagues in the
College of Business and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship,
as well as University administration for providing a very positive and
supportive environment. This is a great University and a great
community.”
Dr. Gerald McDougall, dean of the Donald L. Harrison College of
Business, said, “Dr. Stapleton has not only provided exception
leadership in expanding our academic programming in the area of
entrepreneurship, but he has also been instrumental in promoting
business start-ups and growth throughout our region during a period when
the economic challenges facing our business community have been
significant. This recognition by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce
is especially meaningful because it speaks to our efforts to apply
faculty expertise and knowledge to issues and problems that limit or
hinder the growth and development of our business community.”
After joining Southeast faculty in 2006 as assistant professor in the
Department of Accounting and MIS in the Donald L. Harrison College of
Business, Stapleton then transferred to the Department of Management and
Marketing in 2009 to continue his work in the entrepreneurship
program. He is also the Executive Director of the Center for Innovation
and Entrepreneurship at Southeast where he works to advance the
teaching, practice and science of entrepreneurship so as to stimulate
economic growth and development through new venture formation,
technology commercialization and improved competitive performance of
entrepreneurial enterprises.
Stapleton received his bachelor of science degree in organizational
leadership and management from Friends University and then earned his
master’s degrees in business administration and business education from
Southern New Hampshire University.
He holds a doctoral degree in
workforce education and development from Southern Illinois University.
Stapleton has 10 years of entrepreneurial and business development
experience in a variety of market sectors, including retail, light
manufacturing, and telecommunications and information technology
services. His academic career includes more than seven years of
secondary and postsecondary teaching experience.
Stapleton’s research interest includes group dynamics,
entrepreneurship education and capacity building, and online education.
Stapleton has authored several articles for various publications
including the Delta Pi Epsilon Journal, National Association of Business
Teacher Educator’s Journal, and the Human Systems Management Journal.
He also received the Best Research Paper award twice at the National
Business Education Research Conference. He currently serves as the
2009-2010 editor of the National Association of Business Teacher
Educator’s Journal.
Stapleton is also a member of the National Publications Committee of
the National Business Education Association, the United States
Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, National Business
Education Association and Delta Pi Epsilon.