Stephen Spinelli

Why did you choose to study at Imperial College Business School?
I chose to study here because I was keen to study entrepreneurship, in particular with Professor Sue Birley and I wanted to broaden my international experience.

What advice would you give to a prospective student considering studying the same Business School programme as you?
Make sure you have a plan for your research and a vision for your career. It is also important to build a relationship with your supervisor. I also recommend immersing yourself in the Imperial experience, including probing fields unrelated to your own. Embrace London, explore the UK, travel across Europe.

What is your fondest memory from your time at the Business School?
I miss the diverse intellectual and collegial research that permeates the institution. I also miss being in London and all it has to offer. And Sue Birley encouraging me to work harder and smarter!

The experience at Imperial College Business School enabled my career by rigorously teaching me how to be a researcher, and the mentoring leveraged that experience to create an accelerated career path. The friendships were diverse interesting and enduring.

What do you enjoy most about your work and what are the main challenges that you face?
I love higher education.  I understand the mission and have played many different roles in promulgating that mission.  I have used both the study and practice of entrepreneurship to guide my work as President of a University.

How do you stay connected with others from your Business School alumni network?
Mainly through academic networks, research and writing, and of course that is all enabled by electronic communications.