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Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship
We empower entrepreneurial thinkers—whether you’re launching a venture, building a family business, creating social impact, or driving innovation inside an organization. Turn ideas into action.
Start your entrepreneurial journey
At Central Michigan University, the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship is more than a program—it’s where students from every major turn ideas into real impact. As Michigan’s first Department of Entrepreneurship, we’re a hub for hands-on learning, innovation, and mentorship.
Here, you’ll:
- Build an entrepreneurial mindset that sets you apart in any career path—launching ventures, shaping social missions, advancing family businesses, or driving innovation inside established companies.
- Collaborate across disciplines to create projects that matter.
- Learn from alumni, faculty, and industry leaders who’ve built their own paths.
- Gain real-world experience through workshops, hackathons, and pitch competitions.
- Compete in the New Venture Challenge, where students win up to $10,000 in cash and grants to grow their ideas.
Whether you want to start something new or transform what already exists, the Institute is your launchpad.
Take the next step!
When you’re ready to get started, stop by Grawn 164 to join the team or visit the Idea Den in Grawn 166—your space to brainstorm, build, and take the next step.
Questions?
With the largest incoming class the program has ever had, 612 total students enrolled in the Master of Science in Information Systems program, an exciting increase from 215 students’ last fall
The MSIS program enables students, without previous experience in computing or information system-related degrees, to learn skills and techniques to contribute to the analysis, design, development, and maintenance of information systems.
“The growth of the program is due in part to international students,” Director of the MSIS Program, Dr. Emil Boasson, explained. “With 537 international students in the program now, we have seen students from all across the globe. Students this fall come from countries such as India, Nigeria, Bangladesh, China, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Malaysia, and Peru.”
The MSIS is a STEM-designated program, making it a competitive degree for both domestic and international students.
Prajakta Nivargi, an international student from India in the MSIS program spoke about her experiences in the program, “We are getting valuable experience using Celonis (process mining), SAP, and understanding key industry practices. It is an excellent course for international students to understand information systems because our professors are experts in their fields and care about each student’s success.”
The MSIS curriculum can be completed in two years, including fall, spring and summer semesters. Graduates of this program go on to succeed in various information systems positions in business, consulting, government, or nonprofit organizations.