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Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship

We are a dedicated institute for student entrepreneurs across campus and beyond. We aim to maximize your success by fostering your entrepreneurial mindset, promote inter-disciplinary collaboration and provide support for the creation and development of your new ventures. Jumpstart your ideas and get involved today!

Tune in for excitement!

Passion. Potential. Pitches. Don't miss any of the 2025 New Venture Challenge excitement.

Tune in Friday, April 11 at 1 p.m. for great ideas and fierce competition. Then, join the judges, mentors, spectators and teams as they see who is going home with thousands of dollars in venture financing. The awards broadcast begins at 6:30 p.m. and one team will walk away as the overall best venture. 

Start your entrepreneurial journey

Central Michigan University’s College of Business Administration is the home of the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship and the first Department of Entrepreneurship in the state of Michigan. We are a student-centric hub where experiential, curricular, and external entrepreneurial opportunities intersect.

Our mission is to maximize student success by fostering a campus-wide entrepreneurial mindset that promotes inter-disciplinary collaboration and the creation of new ventures.

We aim to create innovative programming, boost cross-campus and ecosystem collaboration and provide a comprehensive mentoring program.

Our institute provides extracurricular opportunities and is open to all undergraduate and graduate CMU students.

Student opportunities

  • Meet experienced alumni, faculty, entrepreneurs, investors, and other business and political leaders.
  • Learn practical skills, innovative thinking, and connect with mentors and entrepreneurial resources.
  • Attend skill-building workshops and compete in pitch competitions and Hackathons.
  • Take part in special scholarship programs and travel experiences.
  • Pitch your venture at our signature New Venture Challenge event and compete for up to $20,000 in cash awards.

      Find your path

      Are you interested in becoming an entrepreneur?

      Every journey is unique. Explore the opportunities that interest you.

      Acting associate dean appointed in the College of Education and Human Services

      by Erica Peters

      Paula Lancaster, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President, has announced the appointment of Troy Hicks as the Acting Associate Dean of the College of Education and Human Services. Megan Goodwin, who has served as the associate dean of the college since 2019, is currently serving as acting dean. Goodwin and Hicks will continue to serve in these leadership roles until the search for the university’s next provost is successful and Lancaster returns to her role as dean.

      Hicks began his career at CMU in 2007 in the Department of English Language and Literature and most recently served as the chairperson of the Department of Teacher & Special Education before assuming the associate dean role. Hicks currently directs the Chippewa River Writing Project, a site of the National Writing Project, and collaborates with K–12 colleagues to explore how they implement newer literacies in their classrooms.

      Hicks earned three degrees from Michigan State University, including a bachelor’s in English, a master’s in Curriculum and Teaching, and a doctoral degree in Curriculum, Teaching, and Educational Policy. At CMU he has earned numerous distinctions, including the Provost’s Award for Research and Creative Activity, the Excellence in Teaching Award, and Honors Faculty of the Year.

      “Dr. Hicks is a thoughtful educator, scholar, and leader. He is steadfast in his commitment to excellence and in assisting students, staff, and faculty in achieving their goals. I look forward to working with him in his new role,” Lancaster said.  

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      Questions?

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