Center for the Study of Free Enterprise
Dedicated to providing economics research and education to the students, faculty, and community of Western Carolina University.
Who We Are
Launched in 2017 as a part of Western Carolina University, the Center for Study of Free Enterprise (CSFE) supports our mission through scholarly inquiry and community engagement. We focus particularly on the areas of economic development, applied research, and free enterprise. We provide research support, student scholarship, teacher training and much more in an effort to promote interdisciplinary discussion and collaboration among faculty, students, and community members.
What We Do
We work to enrich lives in our region by supporting scholars, offering free educational activities for our community, and providing easy-to-access information on public policy and the role of free enterprise in a flourishing society. Explore our current projects, read more about specific issues affecting our region, and find out how to submit your own idea for funding.
For Students
CSFE offers scholarships, fellowships, post-baccalaureate opportunities, and educational lectures for students
For Faculty
Access information, tools, and classroom materials / lesson plans designed for educational professionals of all levels.
For the Community
CSFE offers grants to individuals hoping to advance economic understanding through peer-reviewed research and public promotion.
Join Us for An Out-of-this-World Chat
On September 11th, 2019, we are excited to host Charlie Duke, Apollo Astronaut, Moonwalker & Community Leader.
Charles Moss “Charlie” Duke Jr. is an American former astronaut, retired U.S. Air Force officer and test pilot. As Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 16 in 1972, he became the tenth and youngest person to walk on the Moon. The latest installment of the Free Enterprise Speaker Series, this one-night only event will take place in the Bardo Arts Center on Western Carolina University’s campus.
Use the button below to find our more information and to register.
Thoughts from our Founding Director, Dr. Edward Lopez, and other invited contributors.
Opening Doors for New Opportunities
I could have never imagined all that I could accomplish in a year and the doors that would open due to the experiences allowed to me because of the funding and mentorship of the CSFE Pre Doctoral program. I started my journey with a trip to the Green Sport Alliance...
A Great Source of Knowledge and Inspiration
During my final semester of WCU’s MBA program, I worked with Dr. Yue Hillon and Dr. Steve Ha on meaningful projects that helped both individual businesses in WNC and the community as a whole. Although I had always had an inclination toward research, these projects and...
My CSFE Story – A Once in a Lifetime Experience
y CSFE story actually started in 2017 when the Center was just getting off the ground. I had established a relationship with my Business Strategy professor, Dr. Yue Hillon, and we wanted to do some research together so I could start exploring what...
Congratulations to Lindsey Elias!
Here recently, the students of Future Business Leaders of American-Phi Beta Lambda have been sharing a lot of their successes—and rightly so. These students are outstanding in more ways than I can enumerate here. But during a recent chat with her, I learned that...
Podcast From the Archives: Virginia Postrel
Edward Lopez conducts an interview with Virginia Postrel on October 13th, 2016.
Podcast S2, E5: EPIC Innovation
Dr. Edward Lopez continues this seasons’ discussion with an interview with EPIC Innovation, a student-professor collaboration group on the Western Carolina University campus known as Elevating Potential Imagination and Collaboration.
Podcast S2, E4: Steve Ha & Samuel Myers
Dr. Edward Lopez continues this seasons’ discussion with an interview of WCU Faculty Steve Ha & his guest Samuel Myers on their new book “Race Neutrality.”
