Lewis Sheats is adding some new hats to his task as a leader of entrepreneurship at N.C. State. In an exclusive interview, Sheats talks about his growing role, which was announced late Thursday, and why NCSU is so keen on helping students become entrepreneurs.

The Skinny asked Sheats: Why is entrepreneurship so important to NCSU?

“It’s in our blood,” says Sheats, who has been part of State’s faculty since 2003.

“Think and Do is not just a marketing slogan, it’s how our students and faculty operate. Entrepreneurship is the action.”

So what’s he see going forward?

“I envision tremendous significance and growth in the future. This move helps validate that.”

Sheats is now the holder of three titles:

  • Assistant vice provost for entrepreneurship at NC State University,
  • Executive director of the NC State Entrepreneurship Clinic based in Poole College
  • Associate professor of practice in Poole College

My email to Sheats about the announcement offered “congratulations (I think).” After all, he is taking on greater responsibilities.

“I am really excited about the opportunity to further develop an interdisciplinary entrepreneurship program at NC State,” he explains. “We have so many talented students. If we get them headed in the same direction and provide the necessary knowledge and tools, great things happen.”

The changes aren’t just bureaucratic shifts. Sheats says he expects positive changes.

“This should help create better awareness on and off campus and strengthen our offerings to the students and community,” he stresses.

Administrators at State obviously saw a need to consolidate their efforts across two different schools and to put a unified face on the startup initiatives.

That’s Sheats.

“One of the drivers was to help unite the Poole College with the engineering school,” he explains when asked about why the moves were made. “In addition to that, we believe this will strengthen our brand of NC State Entrepreneurship.”

So what are his goals in the new jobs?

“To support existing programs in creating awareness, attract students and spread an entrepreneurial mindset across the campus.”

Many people over the years have helped State build its entrepreneurship program, including an accelerator that just announced its second class of three student-led startups, each of which received $20,000. The Skinny asked Sheats about who shares the credit for the years-long effort.

“There are several key players. Tom Miller has been a relentless leader across campus for years. It has been his vision, support and action that has lead to the latest push,” Sheats replies.

“In addition to Tom, Ira Weiss (former dean) and Annette Ranft (current dean) have been outstanding in their support to allow us to build a substantial program and relationships across campus.”