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Lisa Keslar believes many students still don’t realize that entrepreneurship applies beyond starting a business. As the new faculty director of the UNH Entrepreneurship Center (ECenter), she hopes to change that perception. 

Keslar recently stepped into the leadership role while continuing her work as a lecturer in management and entrepreneurship. Throughout her career, she has built and grown multiple ventures and currently co-owns Keslar Insurance Agency, which has three locations in New Hampshire. 

Keslar sees the director position at the ECenter, now part of the UNH Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, as an opportunity to share her passion for entrepreneurship with more students, while helping to position UNH as a leader in innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. 

“When you look at a university like UNH, we have incredible resources for anyone — especially someone who wants to be a part of a start-up ecosystem. We have engineering, sciences, nursing, agriculture, and business, all working together,” Keslar says. “That’s a huge differentiator for UNH, and it’s time to bring attention to that.” 

Exposing More Students to Entrepreneurship  

A lot of people still associate entrepreneurship with start-ups only, but Keslar wants students to know that entrepreneurship is more than launching a business, and you don’t need to start a business to benefit from the ECenter or entrepreneurship courses.  

Keslar says students should view entrepreneurship as something that complements their interests and career goals rather than replaces them. Entrepreneurship provides students with a broader understanding of how organizations function — from innovation and strategy to marketing, operations, and finance. 

"Entrepreneurship looks different for every student. Some want to launch a high-growth startup, others are drawn to family business, franchising, or buying and running an existing company,” Keslar says. “But whether they end up leading a nonprofit or driving innovation inside a large organization, they're all going to need the same core skills — creative problem-solving, innovative thinking, and leadership.” 

The ECenter introduces students to entrepreneurship through experiential learning opportunities such as Ideathons, the Maurice Prize for Innovation, and the Nanda Family Startup Catalyst Pitch Competition. Keslar says expanding those opportunities will remain a priority. 

“These are incredible opportunities, and the students have a blast doing them,” Keslar says. “That’s what learning should feel like. It should push students outside their comfort zones, spark curiosity, and help them see problems and opportunities in new ways.” 

Building Partnerships Inside and Outside UNH 

Keslar sees opportunities for greater collaboration between the ECenter and resources across campus, including the UNH CEO and Family Enterprise Center, the Rosenberg International Franchise Center, the CEPS Makerspace, UNH Innovation, and academic departments throughout the university. 

She also hopes to strengthen relationships with entrepreneurial companies and organizations across New Hampshire, creating more opportunities for internships, workforce development, and experiential learning while helping businesses connect with emerging talent. 

Keslar says those partnerships can support the wide variety of entrepreneurial paths students pursue after graduation, from high-growth startups and family businesses to franchising, entrepreneurship through acquisition, nonprofit leadership, and innovation within established organizations. 

"UNH has tremendous resources and talent," Keslar says. "The opportunity is finding more ways to connect those resources with the entrepreneurs, companies, and organizations helping drive New Hampshire's economy." 

Growing the Alumni Network 

Through guest speakers, mentorship, judging competitions and Entrepreneurs in Residence programs, alumni involvement has already played a significant role in the ECenter’s growth and student experience. 

Keslar wants to continue growing the alumni network, especially by engaging with recent alums, who offer students a timely perspective on the transition from college to career. 

“What’s especially valuable is that alumni bring different perspectives based on where they are in their careers and lives, which gives students a wide range of experiences and advice to learn from,” Keslar says. 

In addition to expanding opportunities for alumni engagement, Keslar says it’s also important for the ECenter to contribute back to alumni businesses and industry partners through projects, collaboration, and experiential learning opportunities connected to the ECenter.  

Longer-Term Vision 

Keslar says her first year on the job will be about building momentum and setting concrete goals. She hopes to help the ECenter take full advantage of its potential and to make it one of the differentiators that sets UNH apart. 

“I want people to hear about entrepreneurship and UNH at every turn because of all the great things happening here,” Keslar says. “I want students to be excited and energized by what’s happening at the ECenter. My goal is for it to become an essential part of the UNH experience — not a hidden secret on campus.” 

Interested in collaborating with the UNH ECenter? Contact Lisa Keslar lisa.keslar@unh.edu