Miller School welcomes international research scholar

Mariana Brunelli

The Miller School of Entrepreneurship is currently hosting an international research scholar, Mariana Brunelli, who has been at ECU since early spring. Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, a federal agency under the Ministry of Education in Brazil, is funding the program. Brunelli is currently a doctoral student at the Pontifical Catholic University in Rio de Janeiro.

“Mariana offers a complementary skill set and knowledge base to the Miller School and the College of Business,” said Dr. Dennis Barber, III, assistant professor, Miller School of Entrepreneurship, ECU’s College of Business. “Her focus on leadership and social entrepreneurship fits well with the vision of the school and college. She also can offer support for our social entrepreneurship inclined students.”

As the host institution advisor, Barber worked with Brunelli as she developed her dissertation investigating the impacts of entrepreneurial competencies and leadership attributes on innovation in social enterprises. In Brazil, Brunelli teaches leadership, ethics and corporate social responsibility (CSR) courses. She also has been a CSR senior analyst for industry groups. During her time at ECU, Brunelli will work with students interested in social entrepreneurship, as well as support teams participating in the Hult Prize competition.

“These types of partnerships allow Miller School faculty to be a part of international research efforts and can lead to future study abroad opportunities for our students,” said Dr. Michael Harris, director, Miller School of Entrepreneurship.

Because of this relationship, Barber received a grant to visit Pontifical Catholic University next year to share his research with their faculty and students.

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