The creating entrepreneurial opportunities (CEO) program : a mixed methods case study

Abstract

[EMBARGOED UNTIL 05/01/2025] This dissertation explores how real-world learning influences entrepreneurial mindset and social capital of high school students in the rural Midwest. A mixed-methods case study design was used to document the overall case of the Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) program. CEO is an experiential high-school entrepreneurship program that originated in Effingham, Illinois, in 2008, and has been replicated in over 70 communities in 10 states. This case study applies entrepreneurial development, positive youth development, and community development frameworks for an integrated in-depth case description and interpretation. Qualitative fieldwork with program leaders and community stakeholders combines with a quantitative survey of CEO alums from the program's 15-year history. Findings affirm the experiential and community-driven nature of the program, and community and institutional contexts supporting successful implementation. Results attest to how real-world learning facilitates entrepreneurial mindset and social capital of students, with entrepreneurial activities and civic involvement continuing into adulthood. Evidence also found a co-formation of outcomes. The study aims to narrow gaps in research on community-based experiential learning and engagement of younger generations. Findings provide insights for researchers of entrepreneurship, youth engagement, and community vibrancy, and for practitioners working to build more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems.