SBTDC director takes new MSU job

After announcing last month plans to utilize the school’s early retirement program, Missouri State University Small Business & Technology Development Center Director Rayanna Anderson accepted a new job with the university.

Effective Aug. 1, Anderson will become the MSU College of Business’ first entrepreneurship coordinator and community liaison. She’ll end her nine-year tenure as director and 25-year career with the SBTDC on June 3.

In her new part-time position, Anderson will connect businesses with students and the business college, as well as aid efforts at Glass Hall’s entrepreneurship center that’s being developed as part of the building’s $25 million renovation and expansion. She’ll report to COB dean Stephanie Bryant.

“Entrepreneurship is really a hot topic in the academic world right now,” she said, declining to disclose her new salary. “Those real-world experiences are what students are asking for and want. That’s what Missouri State is planning to deliver.”

Last month, Anderson - who’s also stepping down as director of MSU’s Management Development Institute - told Springfield Business Journal she was using her option to retire early if years of service and age combine to equal at least 80.