The CMU journey of Jackson Raymond

Jackson Raymond is the kind of student who builds forward. A senior finance and entrepreneurship double major from Gladwin, Mich., he arrived at Central Michigan University already focused on growth—personally and professionally. His drive came early: "In high school, I started selling shoes, and ever since then, I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur."

Choosing CMU, he said, was a mix of legacy and instinct. "My dad and sister went to CMU, and I met with some faculty during a visit and knew this was the place for me."

Once on campus, Raymond expanded his goals. "I realized I wanted more, so I added finance as another major because understanding finance is important regardless of the path I choose to take."

Professors who push you forward

One of the most valuable parts of Raymond’s academic experience has been connecting with faculty who balance challenge with support. He pointed to ENT 200 and FIN 448 as two courses that significantly enhanced his perspective.

"In ENT 200 [with Julie Messing], we learned basic concepts of entrepreneurship and heard from successful entrepreneurs. In FIN 448, Brad Taylor does a great job teaching the concepts of finance. Although his courses aren’t the easiest, they prepare students the most for the real world."

That rigor paid off. "Whenever something isn't clicking, professors have always been there to help me understand it better," he said.

Real experience, real connections

Through both departments, Raymond has sought out experiences that introduced him to real-world expectations. "Getting involved in pitch competitions and making connections with alumni has been extremely helpful."

He also joined finance trips to Chicago and New York City and competed in team challenges that allowed him to apply classroom learning in dynamic settings. These hands-on experiences equipped him with confidence and clarity.

Finding a community off-campus

Raymond commutes to CMU, but never lets that limit his connection. "I found my community by joining RSOs and participating in extracurricular activities," he said. "By doing so, I’ve made great connections with alumni who are now my mentors, as well as professors and classmates."

Likewise, his involvement in the University Innovation Fellows program has been a key part of his growth. That role introduced him to leadership and innovation frameworks that support his entrepreneurial mindset.

Balancing the workload

A typical day for Raymond reflects thoughtful structure. "I try to plan classes close together so I can stay on campus most of the day. In between, I do homework, study, or sometimes just scroll TikTok."

What helps most when things get overwhelming? "Watching YouTube or Facetiming my family. Just something to take my mind off school for a bit."

Staying motivated, he said, comes from shared momentum. "Having a good support system is extremely helpful. A lot of times you're in classes with people you've taken other classes with, so it helps to check in with each other."

Start curious. Stay connected.

"You don’t need to have everything figured out," Raymond said. "That’s a big misconception. College is a time to learn and grow personally and professionally."

He encourages students to embrace the independence college brings. "Coming straight from high school, where basically you're given a schedule and do the same thing every day, college is so much different. You set your schedule and have the freedom to do what you want. It was a big shift."

Exploring what’s next

Raymond is exploring both job opportunities and graduate school after graduation, keeping an open mind as he prepares for his next chapter. "CMU has helped me define those goals by providing coursework that prepares me for the future and hosting events that helped me make great connections with alumni who are now great mentors."

When he reflects on his time at CMU, one takeaway stands above the rest: "The friendships I’ve made. I came to CMU without anyone from high school. I knew I had to put myself out there. I did that—and I’ll always be grateful for the people I met."