Author, Teacher, Economic Theologian, General Instigator
Dr. J. Howard "Jim" Kucher is an Associate Professor of Social Innovation in the Graduate School of the University of Maryland, Baltimore; where he directs the groundbreaking Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship. An internationally recognized thought leader in social entrepreneurship, Dr. Kucher is the lead author of “Social Entrepreneurship – A Practice-Based Approach to Social Innovation,” recently published by Edward Elgar Publishers. A self-described “economic theologian,” Kucher’s research interests focus on the practical applications of social enterprise, with a particular interest in faith-based contexts.
Before joining UMB, he led the Baltimore Social Enterprise Collaborative – a program that was nationally recognized for its innovative curriculum and helped over 60 area nonprofits develop new models for meeting the needs of their constituents while increasing the sustainability of their organizations. He has secured over $70m in working capital on behalf of mission-oriented enterprises and assisted over 100 area nonprofits and social enterprises in developing new models for meeting their constituents' needs while increasing their organizations' sustainability.
Kucher earned a Doctorate in Public Administration with a concentration in Social Entrepreneurship from The University of Baltimore, where he also earned an MBA with an Entrepreneurship specialization. He holds a B.A. from Kean University, a Graduate Certificate in Urban Theology from the Ecumenical Institute at St. Mary’s Seminary and University and has also earned certification as a project management professional and a new product development professional. Among his many honors, he has been recognized as a Baltimore Renaissance Seed Scholar, an Unsung Hero of Small Business, and a Fulbright Specialist Scholar in Social Entrepreneurship.