Our Work
Research, partnerships, and project support are just a few ways we're making an impact.
Speaker Series
Free and open to the public, we aim to give our community the chance to explore all points of view on issues of the day. We offer a forum for the campus and community to hear from renowned experts and understand multiple perspectives through civil, informed, and fruitful discourse.
Economics Education
As part of our mission to serve the community, we provide educators in WNC with professional development opportunities and in-classroom resources to help them teach financial and economics education to the next generation of scholars.
NC Data Dashboard
Our new, online information tool designed to provide easy access to recent economic trends in the counties of Western North Carolina and across the entire state to everyone from community-minded residents and college students conducting research to industry and business executives exploring possible locations for expansion.
Supported Research and Issue Briefs
In support of our mission to provide economics research and thought leadership focused on issues in economic development in our region, we sponsor students, faculty and community members in their scholarly pursuits. Through scholarly inquiry and policy analysis, we hope to fulfill our desire to be an interdisciplinary forum that supports Western Carolina University faculty, students, and community members to exchange ideas, engage in mutual outreach, and collaborate on applied research.
Upcoming Events
Previous Events
A Conversation with Phil Drake
The Center for the Study of Free Enterprise, along side the Division of Academic Affairs at Western Carolina University welcomed Phil Drake, software pioneer, angel investor, community leader, and founder of Drake Enterprises, on April 24, 2019. Drake took the stage...
Race Inequality: A Discussion with Steve Ha and Samuel Myers on Race Neutrality
Free Enterprise Speaker Series presents "Race Inequality: A Discussion with Steve Ha and Samuel Myers on Race Neutrality." A discussion presented by Dr. Steve Ha, and Dr. Samuel Myers at Western Carolina University. Watch a livestream of the event below:
In The News
Free Enterprise Speaker Series hosting forum on racial neutrality
Western Carolina University’s Free Enterprise Speaker Series will conclude for the semester with a discussion on race neutrality and ethnic economic disparity at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, in Room 101 of the Forsyth Building. The event, titled “Race Inequality: A...
Professional development workshop on finance offered for teachers
Western Carolina University’s Center for the Study of Free Enterprise will host a “Teach Personal Finance Like a Pro” workshop for teachers from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, April 1, at Hyatt Place in downtown Asheville. In its second year, the free professional...
Center for Study of Free Enterprise kicking off ‘Issue Briefs’ series
Western Carolina University’s Center for the Study of Free Enterprise will begin a new research series called “Issue Briefs” to address current events in economics and politics in Western North Carolina and beyond, by subject matter experts from on campus and around...