One of the biggest developments in education is that the best education isn’t linear. It used to be that in almost every field of study, formal education began and ended with theory, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to pursue a profession with little exposure to the actual job for which they had trained.

Today, there are programs that turn theory into practice, allowing students to use the knowledge they gain in the actual field they will enter. This sort of “learn by doing” was once the exclusive domain of vocational education. Today, it is employed in all sorts of disciplines.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better, more successful example of this than Mississippi State University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach, more commonly known as the MSU E-Center.

Since opening in a two-person suite in 2009, the E-Center has grown – both physically and in its impact –  and today occupies 4,000 square feet with more than 40 employees, helping create an alumni tech startup portfolio valued at over $35 million representing hundreds of startups whose origins are traced to the E-Center.

One of the E-Center’s hallmark initiatives is the Startup Summit, which recently awarded nearly $100,000 in prizes. This year, the Summit expanded its reach, attracting student entrepreneurs nationwide as well as established business owners across Mississippi. More than 75 companies participated in the two-day event, which included both collegiate and Mississippi-based business categories. The competition drew participants from various institutions, including those in Arkansas, North Carolina and Massachusetts.

Beyond acting as a resource and business incubator, the E-Center facilitates connections between new businesses and private investors. Moreover, it benefits existing businesses through its MBA Capstone Class, which provides free consulting services. MBA students, guided by faculty, gain valuable real-world experience while assisting businesses with marketing, supply chain optimization, pricing strategies, focus group research, and social media strategies.

The E-Center also hosts programs open to the public several times each month. For example, on May 8,  it will host a program focusing on AI for business.

The MSU E-Center remains an invaluable asset to students, entrepreneurs, investors, and local businesses, demonstrating the effectiveness of integrating practical experience into education.

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.