Dr. Rob Mathews is the Hodson Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurship. He earned his doctorate in education with a cognate in business administration and entrepreneurship and certificate in college and university teaching from Ball State University. He led Ball State to numerous national honors, including USASBE National Model Program Award, GCEC Excellence in Specialty Entrepreneurship Education Award, FLC Outstanding Technology Transfer Award, and U.S. News & World Report Most Impactful Classroom on the Outside World. Mathews is co-author of Entrepreneurship the Disney Way and Design Centered Entrepreneurship. His teaching philosophy is hands-on, helping students find their purpose and use their talents in creative ways for the great commission. He also holds numerous professional certifications, is a Disney enthusiast and researcher, has started various businesses, and enjoys golf in his free time. Rob and his wife, Julie, have been married for 29 years. Together, they have son, Nate (19), and daughter, Lindsey (17).
Interests:
- Creativity, Innovation, Problem Solving, and Design Thinking
- Disney Parks & Resorts Best Practices
- Assessments and Talent Development
- Entrepreneurial Efficacy, Intentions, and Opportunity Recognition & Pursuit
- Employee Engagement
- Customer Experience
EdD
Adult, Community, & Higher Education
Ball State University , 2017
Business Administration Cognate with Entrepreneurship Emphasis
CERT
College & University Teaching
Ball State University , 2017
MBA
Entrepreneurship & MIS
Ball State University , 2001
BS
Entrepreneurship & General Management
Ball State University , 1997
- Basadur, M., Goldsby, M., & Mathews, R. (2022). Design-centered Entrepreneurship, 2nd Ed. New York: Routledge.
- Goldsby, M., Goldbsy, E., Neck, C.B., Neck, C.P., & Mathews, R. (2021). Self-leadership: A four-decade review of the literature and trainings. Administrative Sciences, 11, 25-46. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/11/1/25
- Mathews, R., Goldsby, M. G., & Wessel, R. (2021). An examination of the effect of new venture ideation exercises on entrepreneurial intent and openness to ideation. Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy, 4, 637-665. Online (published Aug. 2020): https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2515127420951956
- Goldsby, M. G., & Mathews, R. D. (2019). The power of mission. Indian Management, 58, 66-69.
- Goldsby, M. G., & Mathews, R. D. (2018). Entrepreneurship the Disney Way. New York: Routledge.
- Goldsby, M. G., & Mathews, R. D. (2015). Entrepreneurship and existentialism: Establishing authenticity in a crowded global marketplace. In S. Hoskinson, & D. F. Kuratko (Eds). The Challenges of Ethics and Entrepreneurship in the Global Environment (Advances in the Study of Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Economic Growth, Volume 25) (pp. 1-15). Bingley, United Kingdom: Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
- Kuratko, D. F., & Mathews, R. D. (2004). Community Web: An Internet firm's fight to survive. Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, 28, 265-293.
- Mathews, R., Langford, J., & Goldsby. M. (2026-2027, forthcoming). Disney Parks and Resorts: Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
- Goldsby, M., & Mathews, R. (2026-2027, forthcoming). Walt Disney: The Entrepreneur.
