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Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship
We are a dedicated institute for student entrepreneurs across campus and beyond. We aim to maximize your success by fostering your entrepreneurial mindset, promote inter-disciplinary collaboration and provide support for the creation and development of your new ventures. Jumpstart your ideas and get involved today!
Tune in for excitement!
Passion. Potential. Pitches. Don't miss any of the 2025 New Venture Challenge excitement.
Tune in Friday, April 11 at 1 p.m. for great ideas and fierce competition. Then, join the judges, mentors, spectators and teams as they see who is going home with thousands of dollars in venture financing. The awards broadcast begins at 6:30 p.m. and one team will walk away as the overall best venture.
Start your entrepreneurial journey
Central Michigan University’s College of Business Administration is the home of the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship and the first Department of Entrepreneurship in the state of Michigan. We are a student-centric hub where experiential, curricular, and external entrepreneurial opportunities intersect.
Our mission is to maximize student success by fostering a campus-wide entrepreneurial mindset that promotes inter-disciplinary collaboration and the creation of new ventures.
We aim to create innovative programming, boost cross-campus and ecosystem collaboration and provide a comprehensive mentoring program.
Our institute provides extracurricular opportunities and is open to all undergraduate and graduate CMU students.
Student opportunities
- Meet experienced alumni, faculty, entrepreneurs, investors, and other business and political leaders.
- Learn practical skills, innovative thinking, and connect with mentors and entrepreneurial resources.
- Attend skill-building workshops and compete in pitch competitions and Hackathons.
- Take part in special scholarship programs and travel experiences.
- Pitch your venture at our signature New Venture Challenge event and compete for up to $20,000 in cash awards.
Find your path
Are you interested in becoming an entrepreneur?
Every journey is unique. Explore the opportunities that interest you.
CMU Professor Named as President of ICPEL
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During the 76th annual ICPEL conference held in Orlando, Florida, Dr. Benjamin Jankens, a faculty member in the Department of Counseling, Educational Leadership, and Higher Education at Central Michigan University, became President of the International Council of the Professors of Educational Leadership (ICPEL) for the term 2023-2024.
Jankens will work with the executive board and membership of the association to advance the field of educational leadership preparation, standards development for principals and superintendents, and scholarship and research. His work will help shape policy that impacts public schools across the country and support university preparation programs as they advance access and equity for all students.
Jankens expressed his humility at being elected as the president of such an influential organization that has been a leader in shaping educational administration and leadership for over 75 years. He said, "As we address the challenges facing universities, faculty, and our students, I am honored to be working with such amazing people, educators, and leaders."
ICPEL is focused on several key initiatives, including helping principals and superintendents navigate new and unique environments in our political and social environment and champion diverse ideas that include and connect students, parents, and members of the community. Jankens believes that public and private schools are at the heart of our communities, and there is no other field that has as much influence on shaping our future. He said, "We have an amazing opportunity to create thriving spaces for students, educators, and community members, and I look forward to leading and supporting these efforts."
ICPEL also aims to raise awareness and grow ICPEL Publishing, which supports authors who provide scholarship, research, and textbooks in the areas of educational leadership and administration, educational research methodology, and DEI in education.
The ICPEL, established in 1947, represents professors of educational leadership and is committed to serving the interests and needs of professors of educational leadership and practicing school leaders.
Signature Programs
Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship
Explore special opportunities to learn new skills and travel the world.
Compete & Win
New Venture Challenge 2025
Present your venture and win BIG at the New Venture Challenge.
Build your skills
Workshops and events
Boost your entrepreneurial skills through our workshops, mentor meetups and pitch competitions.
Develop your ideas
IDEA Den
Learn about the entrepreneurship makerspace on campus in Grawn Hall.
Ready, Set, Pitch!
Make-A-Pitch 2024
Present a 2-minute pitch at the Make-A-Pitch Competition and you could win prizes and bragging rights!
Meet Mentors
Mentorship and support
Connect with mentors and faculty who are here to support the next generation of CMU entrepreneurs.
Support students
Make an impact
Are you a CMU alum looking to support CMU student entrepreneurs? Learn how you can support or donate to the Entrepreneurship Institute.
View our programming newsletter
Alumni give back to students through mentorship, real-world experiences
The Wakeling Gendron Entrepreneurial Scholars program wrapped its first cohort this academic year.
Students compete to win cash prizes at the New Venture Challenge
Pitched 40 ventures at NMV Challenge, Friday, April 19, CMU. Judges awarded $100,000 in cash prizes.
Wakeling Gendron Scholars make a life-changing trip to Texas
Wakeling and Gendron Scholars attended SXSW in Texas, meeting industry leaders and gaining entrepreneurial insights.
Business barriers lead CMU students to a new venture
Justin Ashman and Philip Mundt won Central Michigan University's New Venture Competition with their 3-D printing operation, Form Further.
