Shannon Cormier, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at Texas Southern University’s Jesse H. Jones School of Business and a Faculty Fellow in the national HBCU Deans’ Entrepreneurship Education Initiative. In her role as a fellow, she mentors professors nationwide on effective methods for teaching entrepreneurship in their classrooms. Previously, she taught at Clark Atlanta University, where she instructed students in Entrepreneurship and Criminal Justice, coaching them on how to create sustainable start-up enterprises driven by a social mission. In addition to her doctorate from The University of Texas at Austin, she holds entrepreneurial certifications from Babson College and Wharton Business School.

Dr. Cormier’s current research focuses on how entrepreneurs can leverage AI applications to overcome obstacles to scaling their enterprises, as well as the mental health of seed-funded entrepreneurs of color. With a strong commitment to empowering business students to become proficient users and creators of artificial intelligence applications, Dr. Cormier serves on the Texas Southern University Provost’s Task Force for AI Readiness, Guidance, and Implementation. In this role, she helps the university develop official policies and processes to guide the campus-wide adoption and integration of artificial intelligence into classrooms and administration. Dr. Cormier presents at professional conferences on topics that intersect artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

As a passionate “practipreneur,” Dr. Cormier brings more than 20 years of experience as a serial entrepreneur, having founded and co-founded high-growth ventures. She is also an entrepreneur researcher, consultant, and fundraiser, successfully generating over $25 million in funding for various business ventures and coaching more than 1,500 entrepreneurs in new venture formation, growth, and development. Dr. Cormier is the author of The Business Birthing Blueprint and Spiritual Entrepreneurship, both of which provide insights into best practices for fostering an entrepreneurial climate within the community and the church.