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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.

      Central Michigan University Vice President for Student Affairs Renee’ Watson announced the appointment of Erica Johnson as interim assistant vice president for student affairs. In this role, Johnson will oversee several units within the student affairs division, including the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center, Office of Residence Life, Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, CMU Counseling Center, Student Disability Services and more. She also will serve as the division’s liaison for international students.

      Erica Johnson wears a white shirt and black jacket, smiling at the camera in front of a gray background.“Erica deeply cares about the personal and professional growth of not only students but also the staff within her purview,” Watson said. “She believes in the university’s efforts to foster an environment of diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as a sense of belonging.”

      Watson also noted Johnson’s track record for providing cocurricular programs that are nationally recognized for excellence, including Alternative Breaks.

      Johnson joined the CMU community in April 2012 and currently serves as director of the volunteer center, a position she has held since 2019. Previously, she served as the center’s assistant director and coordinator of Greek Life in the Office of Student Activities and Involvement. During her tenure at CMU, Johnson also served as chair of the divisional professional development committee, creating monthly learning opportunities for professional and administrative staff in the student affairs division.

      Johnson said she was thrilled to join the leadership team for the Division of Student Affairs as it moves forward in new directions under Watson’s leadership.

      “I am looking forward to collaborating with campus and community partners to ensure students have what they need to be successful at CMU and to promote the innovative, co-curricular learning opportunities offered across campus that ensure our graduates have life-long career success and are engaged members of their community when they cross our graduation stage,” Johnson said.

      Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in professional accountancy from Saginaw Valley State University and a master’s degree in college student personnel from Miami University. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in educational leadership at CMU.

      Source: Ari Harris

      Media Contact: Aaron Mills

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