The College of Business at Missouri State University (MSU) announced today that Rayanna Anderson has been named Entrepreneurship Coordinator and Community Liaison. As of August 1, Anderson will begin this part-time position where she will be primarily responsible for special projects closely related to entrepreneurship and will serve as community liaison. Anderson will work closely with Dr. Steve Mueller, incoming department head for Management and Dr. Stephanie Bryant, dean of the College of Business.
“We are indeed fortunate to have Rayanna join the MSU College of Business. Her extensive knowledge of the Springfield business community and expertise in entrepreneurship will be an invaluable asset to us as we seek to advance our entrepreneurship program,” states Dr. Stephanie Bryant.
Anderson brings extensive experience
Anderson is currently serving as Director of the Management Development Institute (MDI) and the Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC) at Missouri State University. She has been in this role with MDI since 2012 and with SBTDC since 2007. Prior to 2007, she was Assistant Director of SBTDC (since 1995).
With MDI, Anderson has worked to provide quality professional education for individuals and corporate clients, to enhance careers and foster workforce development.
Under Anderson’s leadership, SBTDC (certified by the National Association of Small Business Development Centers) achieved record-level economic impact. Since July 2007, SBTDC has helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs through one-on-one counseling and training, and conducted over 500 educational training seminars focused on small business needs.
Community leadership
Anderson is also very active in the local community. She is a member of the Greater Ozarks International Trade Association (GOITA) and has served three terms on their Board of Directors. She is also a member of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce International Business Council, an active Rotarian, and has served on many local boards.
In 2013, Anderson was honored in the local Congressional Record by U.S. Congressman Billy Long of Missouri for her service as the Director of SBTDC. In 2011, she was included in the Springfield Business Journal’s list of Most Influential Women.