Education

1997 Goldey-Beacom College, B.S.
1999 Goldey-Beacom College, MBA

Courses Taught

New Venture Finance
Introduction to Entrepreneurship

Career Specialties

Mary Beth Kerly is a nationally recognized entrepreneurship educator, innovation leader and professor-practitioner whose work has advanced entrepreneurship education, startup finance, venture creation, technology commercialization and entrepreneurial ecosystem development for more than 20 years. Her passion is helping innovators transform ideas into sustainable ventures through experiential learning, mentorship and real-world application.

Professional and Community Activities

Kerly has spent more than two decades building entrepreneurship ecosystems that connect higher education, business, government and community partners to accelerate innovation and economic growth. Throughout her career, she has founded transformative entrepreneurship programs, secured competitive grants, designed nationally recognized curriculum and created pathways that have empowered students, veterans, researchers and founders to launch and grow successful ventures.

Prior to joining the University of Tampa, Kerly served in leadership roles with USF CONNECT and the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), following a distinguished career as a tenured Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at Hillsborough Community College. Earlier in her career, she served as special assistant to Gov. Jeb Bush, where she gained valuable experience in public policy, strategic communications and statewide leadership.

Kerly is the co-founder of nationally recognized initiatives including InLab@HCC, Operation Startup, the STRIVE veteran entrepreneurship program, the Student Innovation Incubator (SII) and the Evolve Accelerator. She has co-authored books and scholarly publications on entrepreneurship education and innovation ecosystems, presents regularly at national conferences and serves as a mentor, speaker and judge for startup competitions across the country.

Selected Career Highlights:
Co-founded InLab@HCC, a nationally recognized entrepreneurship and innovation institute.
Created entrepreneurship programs serving students, veterans, researchers and startup founders.
Developed the Student Innovation Incubator (SII) and Evolve Accelerator curriculum.
Co-authored Community Colleges as Incubators of Innovation and ImpactED.
National presenter for NACCE, USASBE, Syracuse University's IVMF and other organizations.
President-Elect, American Marketing Association Tampa Bay.

Impact by the Numbers:
25+ years of leadership in entrepreneurship, innovation, higher education, marketing and public service.
Hundreds of entrepreneurs and students mentored.
Multiple statewide and nationally recognized entrepreneurship programs created.
Nationally published author, curriculum developer and conference presenter.

Honors and Awards

2025 Tampa Bay Business and Wealth Women Who Win Finalist
President-Elect, American Marketing Association Tampa Bay
Certified Entrepreneurial Mindset Profile (EMP) Facilitator
Certified Kauffman Ice House Facilitator
Certified Design Thinking Educator
Co-author of Community Colleges as Incubators of Innovation and ImpactED