Next-Gen ERPsim engaged GI-TEC students in hands-on business simulation

The Central Michigan University College of Business Administration recently hosted another round of the Next-Gen ERPsim competition, inviting students from the Gratiot-Isabella Technical Education Center to campus for a day of hands-on business learning.

The event, organized by Business Information Systems faculty members Christine Witt and Kyle Nothstine, gave high school students the opportunity to experience the fast-paced world of enterprise decision-making using SAP, a leading global business software.

Unlike the previous competition, which used a maple syrup simulation, this time event introduced a new Muesli cereals simulation, encouraging students to explore more SAP functions and strategies.

Mentorship that inspires growth

CMU business students once again served as mentors, guiding GI-TEC participants through the simulation as they made real-time decisions in production, marketing, and sales.

Alina Brown, a junior majoring in human resource management, said this version of the simulation challenged everyone involved to grow. “This simulation encouraged us to throw more SAP functions in the mix,” Brown said. “Professors Nothstine and Witt’s gentle support empowered us to lead and mentor effectively through the extended version.”

She said the simulation’s complexity initially felt intimidating but that changed quickly. “While the initial set-up intimidated my team at first, they slowly wanted to take on more and more as the game progressed,” she said. As confidence grew, so did engagement. “Not only were the high schoolers progressively more confident in their abilities,” Brown said, “but they also were having fun.”

Through mentorship, Brown saw firsthand how hands-on practice and faculty guidance helped students not only learn business systems but also build teamwork and confidence.

Faculty leadership and experiential learning

Witt and Nothstine’s leadership continues to make Next-Gen ERPsim a valuable bridge between CMU and local high schools. Their goal is to expose students early to enterprise systems, data-driven decision-making, and collaborative problem-solving, all core elements of business education.

Each semester, the ERPsim initiative grows, giving high school students a look at college-level learning while allowing CMU mentors to refine their leadership and communication skills.

Building connections through simulation

Events like Next-Gen ERPsim strengthen CMU’s ties with regional schools and provide meaningful, real-world experiences for both mentors and participants.

By combining classroom learning with interactive simulation, the program showcases the college’s commitment to applied learning and community engagement, helping future business leaders discover the power of technology-driven collaboration.

For more information on how high schools can participate in this experience, email Christine Witt.