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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.

      College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences to Expand Recruitment and Community Relations Efforts

      by Sarah Buckley

      The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences welcomes Josh Adams to serve as the college’s new Manager of Recruitment and Community Relations.

      With a rich background in academic affairs and instruction, Adams brings a wealth of experience to his new role where he will create dynamic recruiting events and cultivate strategic alliances with community college leaders, business stakeholders, community influencers, and alumni.

      “Josh brings more than a decade of experience to this position; I am thrilled he is joining us to represent CLASS on campus and in the community,” said Richard Rothaus, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

      A 2005 CMU graduate, Adams returned in 2014 to teach in the English Language Institute. In his time at CMU, he also worked in academic advising, student recruitment and most recently as the Director of the English Language Institute. Adams is returning to CMU after a short stint at Michigan State University, where he served as an academic specialist. 

      Josh Adams wearing a maroon CMU shirt stands with his wife and son inside McGuirk Arena.
      Josh Adams and his family inside McGuirk Arena.

      "I am truly thrilled to return to Central Michigan University and have the opportunity to contribute to the vibrant community within the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences,” said Adams. “The values upheld by this institution resonate deeply with me, and I am eager to champion the transformative power of a liberal arts education.”

      As Manager of Recruitment and Community Relations, Adams will maintain close relationships with all CLASS departments to ensure alignment with evolving curricular objectives and to implement changes that facilitate articulated partnerships. Additionally, he will play a pivotal role in CLASS fundraising and alumni engagement initiatives, showcasing his dedication to fostering a thriving academic community.

      “Collaborating with the faculty and staff here is an honor, and I look forward to collectively nurturing an environment of intellectual curiosity and growth for our students," said Adams.

      Questions?