Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship to Welcome First Class of Students in Fall 2023

November 2, 2022

Exterior photo of the Golisano Institute

ROCHESTER, NY – November 2, 2022 – Entrepreneur and philanthropist Tom Golisano announced today the establishment of Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship, a not-for-profit two-year certificate program comprised exclusively of business-related subject matter. Golisano Institute is aimed at reducing the time and cost of a traditional business school education. Golisano expects to welcome its first class of students in Fall 2023.

“I see Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship as an important alternative in business education, immersing students in an intensive business-only classroom and experiential learning environment,” said founder Tom Golisano. “Unless you work for the government, everyone works for a business but not everyone wants, needs, or can afford to take the traditional route to a business education. Our goal is to help each student go from learner to earner by equipping them with a set of skills and providing certification to enter the workforce or business world and progress their careers in a cost-effective manner and a reasonable length of time.”

Tom Golisano fully funded and endowed the establishment of Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship to offer an accelerated, non-traditional, affordable business education. Tuition for the two-year certificate program is $8,900 per year, payable in two installments of $4,450. Tuition assistance and scholarships will be available for eligible students.

Classes are scheduled to run in-person at 150 Sawgrass Drive in Brighton from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. weekdays with an 11 weeks on and two weeks off cycle, allowing students time to hold employment while earning their certificate. Wednesdays will feature seminars delivered by prominent local, regional, and national business leaders recruited by Tom Golisano for their unique insight and value to the program.

Creating connections and building relationships with executives and community leaders is a critical part of the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship learning experience, setting up students for success through real-world guidance and mentorships.

“Golisano Institute represents a truly innovative approach to business education,” said Jim Continenza, Kodak Executive Chairman and CEO. “The program — with its affordable tuition, hands-on style, and emphasis on creating valuable relationships — is designed to meet the needs of today’s aspiring business leaders and entrepreneurs. The Rochester community will benefit from having access to a leading-edge learning program like Golisano Institute.”

RITCertified, the non-credit division of Rochester Institute of Technology, and St. John Fisher University have provided valuable counsel as part of the advisory committee.

Golisano said, “In addition, RITCertified and Fisher have offered important advice on everything from facilities planning and classroom spaces to dining services and billing, illustrating that we are not competing with higher education institutions, but rather offering an attractive alternative.”

The curriculum and admissions criteria will be released in the coming weeks. Admission applications for the Fall 2023 cohort open in the first quarter of 2023. Class size is limited to 250 students to allow a student-instructor ratio that fosters individualized attention.

For more information on the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship, visit GolisanoInstitute.org.

About Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship

Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship offers a timely and affordable alternative path to a business education for high school graduates and young working professionals. Our two-year certificate program provides an intensive immersion in business-related coursework and an experiential learning environment. Our purpose is to efficiently turn out highly trained entrepreneurs in the greater Rochester region.

About Tom Golisano

B. Thomas Golisano is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader born and raised in Rochester, New York. He has demonstrated an ongoing dedication and commitment to building innovative businesses, supporting numerous non-profit organizations, and advocating for inclusive health and several civic issues. He has contributed over $330 million to many local and national organizations, children’s hospitals, and other non-profit organizations. He also has a family foundation that specializes in assisting organizations that serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mr. Golisano is the founder of Paychex, Inc., the nation’s largest human resource company for small to medium-sized businesses. It provides integrated human capital management solutions for payroll, benefits, human resources, and insurance services for more than 730,000 clients in the U.S. and Northern Europe. He was also owner of the Buffalo Sabres hockey team, a three-time candidate for governor of New York, and is an investor in more than 25 outside enterprises. His investments have helped drive the success of numerous businesses, including start-ups.

Mr. Golisano graduated from Alfred State with a two-year associate degree in general business management and has received five honorary doctoral degrees from Rochester-area colleges and universities. He has written two books entitled Built Not Born and The Italian Kid Did It!”