Abstract
Research suggests that student experiential learning participation can benefit students academically. This approach to student learning develops creative and sometimes unorthodox solutions to problem solving, enhances the student's critical thinking skills, and refines communication skills as well as other high impact practices and skills. The Small Business Institute® (SBI) program provides students with opportunities to engage in internships and or team projects by working with the business community. In that regard there are additional opportunities for collaboration between SBI and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program to work collaboratively across university divisions and colleges to create studentcentered programming which utilizes experiential learning both in and out of the classroom to promote and sustain student academic success. This paper discusses additional ways the SBI and SBDC can work together to prepare students to be life-long learners and successful citizens.