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Certificates focused on the global food system from production, distribution, economic, consumption, and policy perspectives.
When: Friday, March 6, 2026 | 1PM – 4PM
Description:This course covers the applied entrepreneurship and some business skills needed to identify and create an opportunity in agribusiness. Students will be introduced to several Agribusiness skills – including Ag-economics, Ag-marketing, Ag-management and Ag-finance. This course will examine the following sub-topics – how to conceive new business ideas, how to evaluate the ideas, and how to turn the ideas into new ventures in Agriculture. Students will be encouraged to develop their own real business ideas, and they will be guided through to their execution. At the end of this course, students will present their new ideas with their plan to some Agribusiness Entrepreneurs for either funding or feedback for improvement.
Learning Outcomes:
When: Friday, February 20, 2026 | 1PM – 4PMDescription:The global food system connects farmers, businesses, consumers, and policymakers across every corner of the world. This course provides an accessible introduction to the challenges and opportunities shaping how food is grown, produced, distributed, and consumed. Participants will examine issues of sustainability, population growth, and climate change while considering how global trends impact local agriculture and everyday food choices.
Learning Outcomes:By the end of this 3-hour course, participants will be able to:
Instructor: Dr. Greg Pillar, Assistant Provost and Professor of AgronomyWhere: TeamsCost: $199Credential: 3 CE credits from Gardner-Webb University
When: Friday, June 5, 2026 | 1PM – 4PM
Description:Healthy soils are the foundation of successful agriculture, from backyard gardens to commercial farms. This course introduces participants to the fundamentals of soil science with a special focus on the Foothills and Piedmont of North Carolina. Through practical examples, participants will explore soil properties, fertility, and management practices essential for both small- and large-scale agribusiness.
Instructor: Dr. Greg Pillar, Assistant Provost and Professor of AgronomyWhere: GWU Campus, Boiling Springs, NCCost: $199Credential: 3 CE credits from Gardner-Webb University
Dr. Anthony Negbenebor is Assistant Vice President for Business Development and Partnerships, Dean Emeritus and Dover Chair of Business at the Godbold College of Business, Gardner-Webb University. He is also Professor of Economics and International Business, and Sam Walton Fellow and adviser to World Trade Club (WTC). Anthony received his Ph.D. from Mississippi State University. He completed summer studies on International relations at Universite De Paris (1), (Pantheon-Sorbonne) in Paris, France, and advance studies on Economic Development for Developing Nations at the London School of Economics, London, England.
Anthony is the current past President of ACBSP and Chair of Accreditation Governance Board. He has held several positions as Chair of the ACBSP Baccalaureate Board of Commissioners, Chair of ACBSP Marketing Committee, member of the ACBSP Board of Directors and is the ACBSP champion for Gardner-Webb, where he led the accreditation efforts for the Godbold College of Business. He also served as President of ACBSP Region 3 and as an evaluator and mentor to several schools both domestically and internationally. He has served in many regional and national ACBSP sub-committees. Anthony has also attended several ACBSP evaluation training and state and national Baldrige training sessions.
He has published in leading journals and also authored several books both in his discipline and out of discipline. He is an international consultant and speaker.
Dr. Gregory D. Pillar serves as Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs at Gardner-Webb University, where he provides strategic leadership to advance academic excellence, student success, and faculty development. With over 16 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Pillar is a dynamic academic administrator known for fostering innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to transformative educational experiences.
Dr. Pillar’s administrative career spans various leadership roles in academic operations, curriculum development, accreditation, and faculty affairs. Before joining Gardner-Webb, he served as Associate Provost for Academic Affairs at Queens University of Charlotte. In this role, he spearheaded institutional initiatives that enhanced student engagement, retention, and academic outcomes. As the institutional liaison for accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), he successfully led the university’s decennial reaffirmation process, resulting in no recommendations for follow-up actions.
Before transitioning fully into administrative leadership, Dr. Pillar established himself as a respected faculty member and scholar. As a professor of environmental science and chemistry, he taught a wide range of interdisciplinary courses, mentored numerous student research projects, and conducted research on the sustainability of soil and water resources. His passion for global education led him to design and lead international study experiences to destinations such as Italy, Vietnam, Costa Rica, and Micronesia (Yap), where he facilitated an environmental experiential learning program that connected students with local ecosystems and sustainability practices., enriching student learning beyond the classroom. A lifelong learner and advocate for excellence, Dr. Pillar holds a Ph.D. in Agronomy with a focus on Environmental Chemistry from the University of Georgia. He earned his M.S. in Agronomy (Soil Science) from Kansas State University and his B.S. in Environmental Science (Soil Science and Hydrology) from the University of Minnesota. His scholarship has been featured in peer-reviewed journals, and he is a frequent presenter at academic conferences, sharing insights on sustainability, higher education leadership, and innovative teaching practices. He has also been a contributor and guest co-host on the EdUp Experience Podcast Network.
