Building community from day one

For students entering the College of Business Administration, the first year can feel like a flood of decisions—majors, classes, friendships, and figuring out where you fit. The Business Residential College is designed to make that transition more intentional by placing new business students in a shared living-learning community built around connection, support, and early professional growth.

In the BRC, students live and learn alongside other business-minded peers, take classes together, connect regularly with faculty and advisors, and begin building the leadership and teamwork skills that shape their college experience from day one.

For sophomore finance major Travis Tompkins from Lansing, Mich., and freshman marketing major Jenna Carpenter-Ferguson from Grand Rapids, Mich., the BRC quickly became more than a place to live—it became a community that shaped how they experienced CMU.

Community that changes the college experience

Ask BRC students what makes the program different, and the answer comes quickly: community.

“It’s a completely different community, a completely different outlook,” Tompkins said. “We’re all so close with one another. We’ll go to eat together in large groups. We’ll go to events together.”

That closeness extends beyond social connections.

“Your whole outlook of college is different when you have that web of people always there to help you and to support you,” he said.

Carpenter-Ferguson echoed that sentiment, especially as a first-year student.

“You really get to hear everybody’s story versus students in other dorms who have no idea who’s on their floor, and they don’t know the stories and how they came there.”

The BRC intentionally creates opportunities for students to study together, work on group projects, attend events, and build relationships that extend beyond the residence hall.

This sense of connection is intentional, according to Business Residential College Director Lori Driessnack.

“We pride ourselves in our diversity in the BRC, with mentor leaders and members representing a variety of interest areas in business, socio-demographic groups, first-generation students, multi-generation Central Michigan University Chippewas, and international students,” Driessnack said. “The community built across these differences starts from day one, giving students a unique perspective that success is not cookie cutter in the CBA.”

That foundation helps students take risks and grow as they adjust to college life.

“The BRC community provides members with confidence to venture outside of their comfort zone to try new things in a safe environment, where they are accepted, and where it is safe to learn from the inevitable challenges that arise in the transition to college,” she said. “Professional development and growth are the norm, and we expect every member’s path to be unique, so our leadership is ready to meet members in those differences on the floor.”

That sense of belonging and support helps students approach their first year with confidence—knowing they don’t have to have everything figured out right away.

Early exposure to majors and careers

With that foundation in place, the Business Residential College helps students move from feeling supported to taking action—exploring majors, career paths and professional interests earlier than many of their peers.

“We try to provide all of the members with as many tools and opportunities for them to dive in and actually experience conversations with professors of specific majors,” Tompkins said. “I wasn’t aware of how much it would sway me with being able to figure out where I wanted to go.”

Students in the BRC take BUS 109: Collegiate Success for Business Students, a one-credit course offered exclusively to BRC members.

“Having the 109 class, I think that’s another reason that it’s a little bit more tailored [than the general CBA experience],” Tompkins said.

The course includes resume workshops, professional dress seminars, LinkedIn labs and other hands-on activities that help students connect coursework to career readiness.

Leadership and mentoring built in

The BRC also emphasizes peer leadership, with an executive board made up of returning students who mentor new members.

“My goal was to get as close in a professional and personal level with all the members as I could,” Tompkins said. “We’ve been in your shoes. We know what you’re doing.”

That support continues throughout a student’s time at CMU.

“Relationships are a big part of what the BRC is,” he said. “We really rely on that.”

A move to Herrig Hall

Beginning in Fall 2026, the Business Residential College will move to Herrig Hall in CMU’s East Community—a change students are excited about.

“Communal dining is huge,” Tompkins said. “Hopefully there will be even better conversations and better community building with the food.”

The new location brings added benefits, including:

• Residential dining at Dine & Connect, open seven days a week
• Grab-and-go options at The Market at Woldt
• A fitness center just steps from the residence hall
• Break housing during Thanksgiving, semester and spring breaks
• On‑site support through the East Success Center

Carpenter-Ferguson is looking forward to the added convenience.

“I’m quite excited for the communal dining,” she said. “Another nice perk of East is they have this huge gym there.”

Why students choose the BRC

For Carpenter-Ferguson, the value of the BRC goes beyond academics.

“The BRC really prepares you for the outside world,” she said. “There’s a lot of benefits to joining it for your professional career, but there’s also a lot of benefits for your social life.”

Tompkins agrees.

“Community is more than the professional development,” he said. “I’m still so close with all the members from my freshman year.”

For students entering the College of Business Administration, the Business Residential College offers an intentional start—one anchored in connection, mentorship and early momentum.

Learn more

The Business Residential College is open to new students planning to major in one of CMU’s 17 business majors. A commitment to academic excellence and participation in program activities is expected.

Students interested in joining the BRC can learn more through the College of Business Administration website or during campus visit experiences.