The Grossman School of Business at the University of Vermont is proud to announce that professor and entrepreneurship scholar Erik Monsen has been inducted into the Justin G. Longenecker Fellows of the United States Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE). The honor, USASBE’s highest distinction, was publicly announced at the organization’s annual meeting on February 20, 2026.
The Longenecker Fellows society recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to the field of entrepreneurship through scholarly research, teaching excellence, and leadership in entrepreneurial ecosystem development.
“Dr. Erik Monsen has made a significant contribution to the United States Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) and the field of entrepreneurship. His research, teaching and program development accomplishments distinguished him from the many nominated to be Longenecker Fellows, the highest honor at USASBE,” said Professor Jeffrey Hornsby, Chairman of the USASBE Longenecker Fellows and Henry W. Bloch Chair of Entrepreneurship at the University of Missouri–Kansas City’s Bloch School of Management.
Monsen’s work reflects the University of Vermont’s commitment to preparing students for meaningful lives, conducting research that addresses real challenges, and forging partnerships that strengthen communities locally and globally. His scholarship blends academic rigor with real‑world relevance, and his approach to teaching places purpose, connection, and experiential learning at the center of the student experience.
“I am very proud to be honored by USASBE, a very special professional organization that promotes and celebrates not only the teaching and research of entrepreneurship, but also the building of entrepreneurial communities and ecosystems,” said Monsen. “Throughout my career, I have woven together these three interrelated threads. My research into entrepreneurial organizations and decision‑making has made me a better teacher and community partner, while lessons from classrooms and communities have shaped my scholarship. Across projects ranging from biomedical innovation to rural coworking, the chance to collaborate with diverse teams and build strong communities has been central to my journey, and I am deeply moved to be honored by a national organization that shares these values.”
“The Longenecker Fellows represent the best of the best at USASBE. With Erik’s history of service and dedication, it was clear he would one day become part of this distinguished group,” said Jennifer Capps, CEO of USASBE, who joined educators, researchers, and ecosystem builders at last year’s Rural Entrepreneurship Symposium in Iowa. “Erik’s commitment to creating opportunity, fostering community partnerships, and advancing thoughtful, values‑driven research embodies the forward‑looking work that will shape the future of entrepreneurship.”
A national leader in rural innovation, Monsen helped establish the USASBE Rural Entrepreneurship Symposium, launched at the Grossman School of Business in 2024. The symposium has quickly become a flagship gathering for rural entrepreneurship researchers, educators, and ecosystem builders, with upcoming meetings in Iowa (2025), Colorado (2026), and Maine (2027). His leadership demonstrates UVM’s forward‑looking commitment to expanding access, strengthening engagement, and partnering with organizations and communities across the state and nation.
“We are incredibly proud of Erik and the national recognition his work has earned,” said Sanjay Sharma, Dean of the Grossman School of Business. “This honor reflects his tremendous impact on entrepreneurship scholarship and his dedication to strengthening entrepreneurial communities across Vermont, rural America, and the world.”
Through his research, mentorship, and sustained community partnerships, Monsen exemplifies the University of Vermont’s vision for its future, where values‑driven scholarship, innovative teaching, and meaningful engagement come together to create opportunity and strengthen our collective capacity for excellence.
The Justin G. Longenecker Fellows program celebrates scholars and leaders who exemplify the highest standards of entrepreneurship education and community engagement.
Learn more at: https://www.usasbe.org/fellows
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Grossman School of Business, University of Vermont