Nancy Forster-Holt, Ph.D.

Industrial & Labor Relations

Nancy ready for a TEDx talk about her research passion, the ENDrepreneur

Tell us about what you're doing with your life
After a career in public accounting and banking in New York, California and Maine, I earned my PhD in 2011. Worked at Husson University (2011-2016) and since 2016 I’m a professor and director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship program at University of Rhode Island’s College of Business. At both schools I developed the academic program and teach courses in it too. On average, my students start 100 businesses every semester! I hold workshops for business owners. I research the aging and retirements of small business owners. I call it ENDrepreneruship. I am a “pracademic” at heart, since 2003, have co-owned a manufacturing business with my husband Steve (www.shawandtenney.com). My husband Steve and I have 3 children and a granddaughter!

Shaw & Tenney was recognized as a top 10 Maine iconic brand (along with B&M beans, the Whoopie pie, LL Bean boots, Raye’s mustard and others)

What was your favorite class at Cornell, or the one you found the most useful?
Favorite: Prof Dan Sisler’s Economics of Agricultural Geography, in the Ag school
Most useful: Wines and Spirits, in the Hotel School

What is your favorite memory of your time at Cornell?
First snowfall! Joining hundreds of other freshmen in ‘borrowing’ trays from Noyes and sliding down Libe Slope at night

Which Cornell classmates do you keep in touch with?
My brother, Mike Forster (ILR ‘82), and my five housemates, lax player - now coach - Jenny Graap.

The ladies of 203 Linden Ave as The Maidenform woman bring it to Phi Psi 500 race day. Left to right Nancy Forster, Lisa Drucker, Lauren Tully, Lori Friedman, Jacky Schuval, and Lois Baskin

What advice would you give to a student starting at Cornell this year?
Don’t assume a class or activity is ‘not you’. Take some classes that might surprise you. Join a club, play intramurals. Get outside. Balance the work with play.

What extracurricular activity or hobby from your time at Cornell was the most meaningful?
JV Lax! I was a walk-on – that opportunity would not exist for my ‘skill set’ today, but it was great to be part of that group. Thank you, Title IX.

Nancy and husband Steve have built or rehabbed 10 properties. This is the one they lived in the longest – 14 years! – on Main Street in Orono, Maine

What random or surprising encounters with Cornell or Cornellians have you experienced since you left?
I run into Cornellians everywhere, it’s great. I was in the Cornell Alumni Ambassador network for many years, and am currently involved in the Smith family business initiative in the Johnson School

What does being a Cornell alumnus mean to you?
As an academic, I have a new respect for the contributions to all fields that my profs have had in their research.