Bobby Smith named director of Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship

Central Michigan University has named Bobby Smith as the next director of the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship, bringing a dynamic leader with experience across higher education, national entrepreneurial ecosystems and social impact initiatives.

Smith, who will begin his role on May 18, will serve as the Institute’s full-time director, allowing for expanded focus on student programming, partnerships and entrepreneurial support across campus.

“Bobby’s background across higher education and the broader entrepreneurship ecosystem positions him well to lead the Institute forward,” said Dean Chris Moberg. “He brings a clear commitment to social entrepreneurship and a strong focus on creating meaningful opportunities for students to engage, build, and grow.”

A leader focused on impact and connection

Smith brings more than a decade of experience designing and leading entrepreneurship initiatives across universities, nonprofit organizations and national programs. His work has focused on building collaborative ecosystems that connect students, founders and communities with the resources needed to grow ideas into action.

Smith has emphasized his alignment with CMU’s mission to prepare students as both job seekers and job creators, noting the importance of entrepreneurship as a driver of economic mobility and regional development.

“I’m excited to work alongside CMU students to help them explore entrepreneurship as a tool for building careers, creating opportunity, and shaping solutions that matter,” Smith said.

His background includes leadership roles supporting entrepreneurship education, venture development and access to capital, along with experience working with organizations such as the NASDAQ Entrepreneurial Center and Echoing Green. These roles have positioned him to build partnerships and expand opportunities for students both locally and nationally.

Expanding opportunities for students

The Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship serves as a hub for hands-on learning, innovation and mentorship, supporting students across all majors as they explore venture creation, social impact and entrepreneurial thinking.

As director, Smith will focus on strengthening and expanding these opportunities, including programs such as the New Venture Challenge and the IDEA Den, while building connections between students, alumni and industry partners.

His approach reflects a strong interest in social entrepreneurship and inclusive innovation—areas that continue to grow in importance among today’s students.

Building on a strong foundation

Smith will build on the work of outgoing director Julie Messing, whose leadership helped shape the Institute’s programming and student experience. During her six years at CMU, she developed the Idea Den and expanded collaborative programming that connected students through initiatives like the Spark Challenge Hackathon and Stanford’s University Innovation Fellows program.

With a full-time director in place, the Institute is positioned to expand its reach and deepen its impact across campus and beyond. Smith’s experience in program development, partnership building and student engagement will support the next phase of growth.