Reinvigorating the university mission through social entrepreneurship: A case study of the Food Innovation Center at Saint Louis University

This instrumental case study of the Food Innovation Center at Saint Louis University extends the literature of academic capitalism to include social enterprises initiated and managed by faculty and staff within academic departments. Through an analysis of the primary documents describing the founding and management of the various operations, this research establishes that the Food Innovation Center was intended as form of social enterprise. A survey administered to all the primary constituents of the Food Innovation Center establishes that it is experienced and perceived as a social enterprise. The implications of social enterprise as a potentially powerful strategy for higher education to re-engage with its public good mission is explored.