Next-Gen Central connects Sacred Heart Academy students with CMU business mentors

The Central Michigan University College of Business Administration welcomed students from Sacred Heart Academy for the latest Next-Gen Central ERPsim event, continuing its tradition of connecting high school classrooms with college-level, hands-on learning. 

Organized by Business Information Systems faculty members Christine Witt and Kyle Nothstine, the simulation event offered Sacred Heart students a dynamic introduction to enterprise systems and business analytics through SAP software. 

The competition, hosted in Grawn Atrium, guided participants through an interactive ERP simulation that challenged teams to manage production, sales, and marketing decisions in real time. 

Mentorship in action

CBA student mentors paired with Sacred Heart teams, helping them analyze data, set strategies, and collaborate effectively under time pressure. 

“Mentoring for the ERPsim event is very rewarding,” said Kaedyn Hirschman, a senior majoring in human resource management from Grand Ledge, Mich. “New students come to the CBA eager to learn and play the simulation. My role as a mentor is being that guiding hand through the process. One thing that stood out to me the most from the Sacred Heart students was how engaged and open-minded they were. They all go to school together, and I could see the collaboration among them. Sacred Heart had some friendly competition, which made it a whole lot more interactive.” 

Hirschman added that the fast-paced nature of the simulation created memorable moments throughout the day. “It is super fun and rewarding watching all the students figure out their roles and then start making decisions,” she said. 

Faculty leadership and student growth

For Sacred Heart Academy teacher Andrew Doerr, who accompanied the students, the event offered a unique combination of fun and learning. 

“Leading up to the event, the students were inquiring about what they would be doing during the simulation,” Doerr said. “I enjoyed seeing the students work together and compete for the prizes and top spot. Crumbl Cookie is the biggest inspiration of all!” 

Doerr also highlighted the collaboration between the Sacred Heart students and returning CMU mentors. “I discussed this with one of the professors during the event—the maturity of the mentors who interact with and lead the high school students really stands out. Conversation skills are a necessity in the real world, and I feel that the College of Business has put its students on the right track,” he said. 

According to Doerr, the feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive. “Many students said the event was more fun than they thought it was going to be, or that they were treated really well while at CMU,” he said. “We’re really appreciative of the opportunity, and I know of one current senior who has already applied to the College of Business at CMU.” 

Connecting classrooms through business

The Sacred Heart Academy session continued the momentum of the Next-Gen Central ERPsim initiative, which has previously engaged schools including Clare High School and the Gratiot-Isabella Technical Education Center. Each event introduces students to the fundamentals of enterprise decision-making while giving CMU mentors hands-on leadership experience. 

By combining classroom learning with real-world collaboration, the program underscores CMU’s commitment to experiential education and community engagement, helping future business leaders discover the power of teamwork, data, and technology-driven decision-making. 

For more information on how high schools can participate in future Next-Gen Central ERPsim events, contact Christine Witt.