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Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab

  • Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab

    Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab

    The Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab is a Center of Excellence at the USC Marshall School of Business. It houses the Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship (MSSE) program, which provides students with concrete business skills as the foundation with which to address critical global issues from a solutions-based perspective.

    A hub for social impact entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship, BSEL works with students across USC—not just at Marshall. We host a variety of mentorship opportunities, as well as academic degree programs—all of which emphasize a cohort experience. BSEL Undergraduate Impact Scholars pairs undergraduates with social impact professionals who are leaders in their field. BSEL Research Scholars supports a deepening understanding of who entrepreneurs are, how they thrive and what we need to do to make their impact measurable and sustainable. We also support undergraduates interested in our social entrepreneurship minor.

    Annually, we host the Jacobson Family Sustainable Impact Lecture Series for our students, alumni and local community. The six-part series introduces exceptional individuals breaking barriers in their fields to create social impact. Recent lectures highlighted how businesses are innovating affordable housing models and how the private sector is using A.I. to innovate fields like building efficiency or agriculture.

    Alumni have founded dozens of successful businesses including Rebundle, Beamlink, Peruana Sauce, Pulp Pantry, UMEED, Green Pines Media, RxLA and EcomAmor. Whether you’re interested in changing an existing business or building a new one, we’re here to provide the tools, guidance and connection to make it happen. Many of our students are career changers—individuals who were on one path and realized they want to make a change in order to make a greater difference.

ABOUT THE CENTER

Our Impact

Founded in 2008 and named in 2014 through a gift from the Brittingham Family Foundation, BSEL has become one of the world’s leading research and teaching institutions on social enterprise.

It is clear that addressing social problems is no longer the sole responsibility of government and civil society. Our world’s complex social problems require businesses to invest and innovate for both impact and returns. Today’s business leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors are taking steps to embed social purpose into their corporate operations. Through our MSSE program—recently ranked 5th in the United States—mentorship opportunities and more, BSEL strives to bolster the next generation of leaders in advancing social change.

Our Values

Innovation: We believe in continuous innovation in developing creative approaches to educational programming and research.

Educational Excellence: We believe that creating social impact through business requires a unique business education that exposes students in and out of the classroom to cutting-edge ideas and skills taught by seasoned instructors, practitioners, scholars, mentors, and those with the lived experience of the social challenges we seek to address.

Courage: We foster a courageous spirit in our students because we believe that solving the wicked problems faced in society requires the fortitude to think and act differently.

Representation: In a world where racism, gender inequality, anti-LGBTQ+ bias, and other forms of discrimination impact students’ opportunities for success in the global economy, we elevate stories, perspectives, and backgrounds that both reflect our diverse community of learners and mirror the range of communities and business environments in which our students will find themselves.

PROGRAMS

BSEL offers graduate and undergraduate academic programming.

PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES

  • MS Social Entrepreneurship (MSSE)

  • The Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship offers students a unique combination of business entrepreneurship skills delivered within the context of achieving both social and financial missions.

    The courses focus entirely on the business aspects of social entrepreneurship including feasibility, planning, marketing, management, finance and execution. Social, environmental and health issues are integrated into the readings, cases, teaching, guest lectures, exercises and assignments. The program also includes a for-credit practical capstone project in which students have the option to develop a business plan for a new social enterprise.

    MORE MS Social Entrepreneurship (MSSE)
    COURSE CATALOGUE
  • BSEL Undergraduate Social Impact Scholars Program

    BSEL Undergraduate Social Impact Scholars Program

    BSEL's Social Impact Scholars Program is a highly selective nine-month mentoring and skills-building experience for a group of rising juniors and seniors who are engaged and pursuing careers in social impact. Applications are now open!

    LEARN MORE

  • Warren Bennis Scholars Program

    Warren Bennis Scholars Program

    The Warren Bennis Scholars Program is a university-wide initiative offered by the Office of the Provost through the Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab at the Marshall School. Each year, 20 students across academic disciplines are selected at the end of their sophomore year to participate in the two-year leadership program. Scholars receive leadership training in and out of the classroom. Upon successful completion of all requirements of the program, students will receive a designation on their transcripts.

    LEARN MORE

  • Color photograph of the Jacobson Family Sustainable Impact Lecture Series audience.

    Jacobson Family Sustainable Impact Lecture Series

    Throughout the academic year, the Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab hosts panel discussions featuring professionals and leaders in the social impact space. The 2023-24 Jacobson Family Sustainable Impact Lecture Series will address a variety of critical topics including affordable housing, impact report, AI and climate change and much more.

    REGISTER HERE Jacobson Family Sustainable Impact Lecture Series
  • Annual Social Enterpreneurship Conference

    Annual Social Enterpreneurship Conference

    The Annual Social Entrepreneurship Conference, co-directed by Dr. Jill Kickul and Dr. Sophie Bacq, is the largest academic gathering of its kind in terms of research paper submissions, and convenes scholars, practitioners, and students from around the world to explore topics in social enterprise, innovation, sustainability, and impact.

  • Katz Summer Fellowship

    Katz Summer Fellowship

    Katz is a summer subsidy awarded to graduate business students pursing work outside of the United States. EMAIL for more information.

TEAM

  • Adlai Wertman

    Adlai Wertman
    • David C. Bohnett Professor of Social Entrepreneurship
    • Founding Director, Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab

    Adlai Wertman is the David C. Bohnett Professor of Social Entrepreneurship at the USC Marshall School. He is the founding Director of the Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab, as well as the Academic Director of the Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship and the Warren Bennis Scholars programs. Before USC, Adlai spent seven years as CEO of Chrysalis — an LA social enterprise devoted to helping homeless through employment. Prior to Chrysalis, Adlai spent 18 years as an investment banker. He earned his BA in economics from SUNY Stony Brook and his MBA in finance from The Wharton School.

  • Jill Kickul

    Jill Kickul
    • Professor of Clinical Entrepreneurship
    • Research Director, Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab

    Jill was formerly at NYU’s Stern School of Business as Director of Social Entrepreneurship and the Chair for the 30-course MBA specialization in social Innovation and Impact. She is the Founding Director of the Annual Conference on Social Entrepreneurship, the largest academic conference in the field.

  • JJ Lee

    JJ Lee
    • Director, MS Social Entrepreneurship

    JJ Lee is the Director of the Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship (MSSE) program at the USC Marshall School of Business. She oversees recruitment, admissions, advising, and academic and student services for the MSSE program. Prior to joining the Marshall School in 2018, JJ ran the Pre-Master’s Program at USC International Academy from 2014-2018, helping international students prepare for success in their respective USC master’s programs. From 2011-2014, she served as the International Student Advisor at the American Language Institute at USC, managing the university-wide English language proficiency requirement for admission to USC degree programs.

  • Marelle Berry

    Marelle Berry
    • Senior Student Engagement Programs Advisor

    Marelle Berry is the Senior Student Engagement Program Advisor for the Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab.  She has worked for USC since 2015, and with the Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab since 2019. She is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles with two bachelor's degrees in sociology and gender studies. She also received a degree in merchandise marketing from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Through both educational experiences, she has been able to apply her business skills towards furthering student programs and supporting students with creating great impact over their careers.

INSIGHT + ANALYSIS

ALL INSIGHT + ANALYSIS

NEWS + EVENTS

ALL NEWS + EVENTS

STUDENT LIFE

  • MSSE Student Association

    MSSE Student Association

    The mission of the Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship Student Association (MSSE SA) is to advocate on behalf of MSSE students in order to enhance the student experience.

    EMAIL MSSE SA for more information.

STAY CONNECTED

  • COME VISIT US

    Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab
    USC Marshall School of Business
    3670 Trousdale Parkway
    Bridge Hall, Room 105
    Los Angeles, CA 90089-0803

    EMAIL
    Phone: 213-740-9098

  • MEET OUR TEAM

    Our team includes renowned professors on social enterprise, award-winning social entrepreneurs, and social impact leaders. Learn more about us HERE.

  • CONNECT WITH US

    SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter.

    TWITTER

    INSTAGRAM

    LINKEDIN

    YOUTUBE

  • CONTACT US

    Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship EMAIL

    Other Student Programs EMAIL

    Media Inquiries EMAIL Avni Shah, Communications & Editorial Specialist

    For all other questions, please call 213-740-9098.