Wakeling Gendron Entrepreneurial Scholars invite students to showcase innovation

At Central Michigan University, entrepreneurship isn’t limited to business plans or classroom theory — it’s a mindset built through collaboration, creativity, and hands-on learning. That’s exactly what the Wakeling Gendron Entrepreneurial Scholars program offers.

The cohort-based program brings together students from across disciplines who share a common goal: to build, launch, and lead ideas that make an impact. Members work in small teams, attend workshops and networking events, and travel to four entrepreneurial ecosystems each year to see innovation in action.

“This program has pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way,” said Alexa Weber, a general business administration major and accelerated MBA student from Chesterfield Township, Mich. “I’ve grown so much in my networking abilities, confidence, and leadership skills. It’s helped me develop an entrepreneurial mindset and connect with people who truly inspire me.”

Beyond the weekly and monthly meetings, the group organizes campuswide events that encourage creativity and feedback. November 18, the scholars are hosting an Entrepreneurship Fair, where CMU students can pitch ideas and receive input from peers, faculty, and local entrepreneurs.

“It’s a great opportunity for students from any major to share their ideas, no matter how big or small,” said Jade Walleman, a senior scholar in the program. “We’re not here to judge, we’re here to help each other grow. Every idea has potential.”

Students of all majors are invited to register by emailing Alexa at weber2ak@cmich.edu.

The program’s upcoming spring cohort will also plan a TEDx-style event focused on entrepreneurship, continuing its mission of spreading an entrepreneurial mindset across campus.

“Our goal is to create spaces where students can learn, share, and explore new perspectives,” Weber said. “Different backgrounds and ways of thinking make our discussions stronger and our ideas better.”

The trips are another defining feature of the program. Scholars visit entrepreneurial hubs around the country to meet founders, investors, and startup teams. Those experiences, Walleman said, show students what real-world innovation looks like and what it takes to build something meaningful from the ground up.

“You get to see how entrepreneurs manage their work, balance their lives, and keep moving forward,” she said. “It’s eye-opening and incredibly motivating.”

Above all, both Weber and Walleman describe WGE as a community that combines professional growth with genuine connection.

“It’s not just about business it’s about friendship and support,” Weber said. “You learn, laugh, and grow together.”