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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 VP honored by prominent student affairs group
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A member of Central Michigan University’s leadership team nationally known for her contributions to student success was recognized by a prominent student affairs organization.
Shawna Patterson-Stephens, vice president for Inclusive Excellence and Belonging, was named a Diamond Honoree for the American College Personnel Association’s Class of 2024. It is the organization’s 25th class.
Patterson-Stephens has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, a career that started with her earning a bachelor’s degree from CMU. Recently, she led efforts to produce the campus’ new diversity, equity and inclusion strategic plan, and led the change in CMU policy on lived/chosen names.
In 2023, she was named one of Michigan’s Notable Leaders in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by Crain’s Detroit. She also won the ACPA’s 2023 Harold E. Cheatham Innovative Practice Award.
Patterson-Stephens is currently the principal investigator for a national project examining the experiences of Black women in higher education and for CMU’s Aspire Alliance for Inclusive and Diversity STEM Faculty grant, funded through the National Science Foundation.
She has also served in multiple capacities for ACPA over her 15-year membership, including on the governing board, as chairwoman of the Pan African Network and as chairwoman of the Coalition for Multicultural Affairs.
Diamond Honorees are nominated by peers in recognition of their contributions to student development through an associated fund-raising effort. Money raised supports the ACPA Foundation’s advancement of research, scholarship and programs that advance the field of student affairs.
The induction ceremony is planned for ACPA’s March convention in Chicago.
The ACPA was founded in 1924 and has grown into an internationally recognized association for student affairs and higher education professionals. Being named a Diamond Honoree is one of the organization’s highest recognitions.
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.
