Nathan Woolard

Nathan Woolard is an Applied Assistant Professor of Management & Entrepreneurship in the Department of Management & Marketing at the Collins College of Business, The University of Tulsa, where he joined the faculty in spring 2022. He serves as faculty advisor for the Jolt@TU Business Center, providing student programming in innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of work.

Dr. Woolard's educational background includes:

• Ed.D. from Oklahoma State University (Dissertation: "Academic Capitalism and Impact on State Spending")
• Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma
• B.S. from the University of Central Oklahoma

His research centers on entrepreneurial pedagogy, ecosystem development, and small business innovation, with expertise in leadership, e-commerce, and community-driven entrepreneurship. Drawing from his experience operating a small business until 2019, his work emphasizes practical applications in real-world contexts like food halls and craft breweries, focusing on how micro-ecosystems foster community impact and social entrepreneurship.

Woolard's publication history (2014-2025) reveals a cohesive trajectory examining entrepreneurial support structures across diverse settings—from rural crowdfunding networks to academic capitalism's influence on state funding. His scholarship consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with actionable insights for educators and community developers, particularly through experiential learning models.

His notable recognitions include:

• IDA Friday Faculty Award (campus-wide, junior faculty of the year) from Meredith College (2017)
• School of Business Teacher of the Year (2019)

As Jolt@TU Business Center advisor, Woolard mentors student ventures while developing curricular innovations like venture competitions and co-curricular programs. His prior leadership at Meredith College involved launching comprehensive entrepreneurship programs, demonstrating sustained commitment to academic entrepreneurship education. Current projects focus on placemaking through food halls and social entrepreneurship ecosystems.

Woolard actively cultivates the Jolt@TU Business Center as a dynamic hub for student innovation, integrating classroom theory with hands-on startup experiences through competitions and community partnerships that emphasize local economic development.