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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 selects new VP/chief financial officer

      by User Not Found
      Central Michigan University President Bob Davies today announced the appointment of Mary Moran Hill as the university’s new vice president of finance and administrative services and chief financial officer. 
       
      Hill, who began her career with CMU more than 30 years ago, has been serving as interim vice president for the division since July. She previously served as associate vice president in the division, overseeing a multi-departmental team that included accounting services, contracting and purchasing services, payroll and travel services, risk management and environmental health and safety, student account services, and university billing. 
       
      Mary Moran Hill in front of CMU seal“Mary has been an exceptional leader at CMU for many years. She demonstrates calm, compassion and confidence in everything she does, and she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role,” Davies said. “Her deep understanding of our history and culture will provide a solid foundation for the future growth, innovation and improvement of our administrative services, as well as for strengthening CMU’s fiscal standing.”  
       
      In her new role as vice president and chief financial officer, Hill will lead a division that includes auxiliary services, facilities management, financial planning and budgets, financial services and reporting, human resources, and the CMU Police department. 
       
      “I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to lead the Finance and Administrative Services division in providing the critical financial and operational support necessary to attain the university’s strategic goals,” Hill said. “I’m especially looking forward to collaborating with my colleagues across the institution to secure a vibrant, sustainable future for CMU.” 
       
      Prior to 2014, Hill’s other notable roles include associate controller, director of payroll and travel services and manager of accounting services. She currently serves on several university committees, including the Retirement Investment Advisory Committee, University Space Committee, CMU Endowment Investment Committee, the CMU Emergency Management Team and CMU Leadership Standards Initiative.  
       
      Hill also is active in several community and professional organizations, including the Michigan Public Schools Employee Retirement System Task Force, the Michigan Controllers Group, and the National Association of College and University Business Officers. As interim vice president, she began serving as treasurer for the CMU Board of Trustees, CMU Medical Education Partners and the CMU Research Corporation. She will continue to serve as treasurer for these organizations in her new role as vice president.  
       
      Hill is a two-time CMU graduate: She earned both a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA with an emphasis in tax accounting from the university. 

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