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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.
Ed tech master’s degree blazes trail
by
Sanjna Jassi
A CMU graduate program is the first to meet 100% of International Society for Technology in Education Standards for Educators.
A Central Michigan University graduate degree has become the first higher education program to meet all of the International Society for Technology in Education's Standards for Educators, demonstrating that the program is preparing leaders in educational technology.
"After a rigorous review and revision process, CMU faculty achieved a curriculum 100% in alignment with the ISTE Standards for Educators," said Carolyn Sykora, senior director of ISTE standards programs. "It's clear that graduates emerge from the Master of Arts degree in learning, design and technology program with the theory, tools and experience they need to lead in schools of the future."
The degree, abbreviated as MALDT, is housed within CMU's teacher education and professional development department and will prepare its graduates to apply for a credential as ISTE-certified educators.
"In addition to the degree itself, ISTE Certification will be helpful when you're trying to distinguish yourself as a candidate for a position as an instructional designer, a technology coach or in another leadership role," said Troy Hicks, director of the MALDT program.
Where to begin
For more information about the MADLT degree or becoming an ISTE-certified educator, contact Troy Hicks at troy.hicks@cmich.edu.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for skilled instructional coordinators continues to increase as educational use of technology moves far beyond watching a video and taking a quiz, Hicks said.
The MALDT degree focuses on educational technology leadership in pre-K-12 schools, higher education, businesses, nonprofits, the military, health care and more. Students in the program develop creative experiences that engage their own learners in interactive tech, including apps and devices.
Washington, D.C.-based ISTE is a global nonprofit dedicated to technology in teaching and learning. Its Certification for Educators is the only competency-based certification focused on digital-age teaching practices
"We are very proud that CMU is the first institution to earn this distinction," said Betty Kirby, dean of CMU's College of Education and Human Services. "It is the result of some very visionary educational technology faculty."
Signature Programs
Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship
Explore special opportunities to learn new skills and travel the world.
Compete & Win
New Venture Challenge 2025
Present your venture and win BIG at the New Venture Challenge.
Build your skills
Workshops and events
Boost your entrepreneurial skills through our workshops, mentor meetups and pitch competitions.
Develop your ideas
IDEA Den
Learn about the entrepreneurship makerspace on campus in Grawn Hall.
Ready, Set, Pitch!
Make-A-Pitch 2024
Present a 2-minute pitch at the Make-A-Pitch Competition and you could win prizes and bragging rights!
Meet Mentors
Mentorship and support
Connect with mentors and faculty who are here to support the next generation of CMU entrepreneurs.
Support students
Make an impact
Are you a CMU alum looking to support CMU student entrepreneurs? Learn how you can support or donate to the Entrepreneurship Institute.
View our programming newsletter
Alumni give back to students through mentorship, real-world experiences
The Wakeling Gendron Entrepreneurial Scholars program wrapped its first cohort this academic year.
Students compete to win cash prizes at the New Venture Challenge
Pitched 40 ventures at NMV Challenge, Friday, April 19, CMU. Judges awarded $100,000 in cash prizes.
Wakeling Gendron Scholars make a life-changing trip to Texas
Wakeling and Gendron Scholars attended SXSW in Texas, meeting industry leaders and gaining entrepreneurial insights.
Business barriers lead CMU students to a new venture
Justin Ashman and Philip Mundt won Central Michigan University's New Venture Competition with their 3-D printing operation, Form Further.
