Daye Dearing will be director of Alcorn’s upcoming Women’s Business Center (WBC). Dearing is a Nachez, Mississippi native who began her career in 2005 with Alcorn. She is accomplished, having become the coordinator of Internships and Grants for the School of Business, helping students secure internship positions to further their experiences.
Dearing is upbeat about the upcoming changes in her career, expressing excitement to lead. “I am honored and excited to lead the efforts of the Women’s Business Center at Alcorn State University,” said Dearing. “I feel inspired by the work of women who currently operate their own business and have the desire of opening a business.”
Grant funding was announced in September 2020 for the new SBA Women’s Business Centers, which seek to partner with Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The Center will be funded for five years at $150,000 a year.
The Center is expected to offer services that will prepare entrepreneurs to be the best. According to Dearing, “Alcorn’s WBC will provide training in finance, management, marketing, and the Internet, as well as offer access to all of the SBA’s financial and procurement assistance programs. The classes and services provided will focus on providing grassroots, from the ground-up model to ensure long-term successful business development. Counseling, training, workshops, and classes will strategically present successes and challenges for the rural and underserved entrepreneur.”
The Women’s Business Center will be open to those without experience, to learn what they need to be successful. “The training and counseling will focus on assisting those with no experience in business to those who wish to grow their business. The classes and training sessions offered by the WBC at Alcorn will focus on business training, personal development, and market skills. The WBC’s additional services will include access to office equipment and computer software, which can serve as an incubator for some participants. All of the training, classes, and services will be provided at no cost to the participants in an encouraging environment that fosters learning, growth, and achievement.”
Alcorn President Felecia M. Narve is confident in the decision of Daye Dearing to assume the new administrative position, stating, “Ms. Dearing is the ideal professional to lead Alcorn’s Women’s Business Center,” said Nave. “With her expertise and love for helping others succeed, I am confident that her leadership would help propel the Center to unimaginable heights. The University looks forward to the great things that Dearing has in store in the future.”