Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship Programs

If you are an ENT major, ENT minor, or actively involved with NVC, this opportunity could be for you!

Stephen Wakeling & Erin Gendron have started an e-scholars program to offer additional experiential opportunities, financial support, and networking for entrepreneurial students at CMU.

The third cohort of e-scholars will be selected by April 16 and announced at NVC in April. The students selected as Wakeling-Gendron Entrepreneurs (WGE)may be eligible for a $1,500 Tuition Stipend ($750 per semester) and receive all expense paid travel to experience different entrepreneurial ecosystems. The Scholar must meet CMU financial aid requirements to receive the stipend. There will be 2-4 trips across the year. The WGE will also be a part of numerous mentoring and networking opportunities with Alumni and other experts, executives & entrepreneurs. Also, the WGE program will provide support for scholars to participate in competitions beyond NVC at CMU.

The Stephen Wakeling & Erin Gendron Entrepreneurial Scholars program (WGE) is an incredible opportunity for a small cohort of students to gain additional leadership, mentoring, and networking opportunities while expanding their entrepreneurial horizons. It will open many doors and bring value beyond the classroom. Please direct any questions to Julie Messing at julie.messing@cmich.edu.

Learn more about becoming a Fellow in CMU's 5th cohort - entrepreneurial mindset, campus changemaker, network, connect with peers and leaders around the globe, travel and other expenses are included (no out of pocket for you). Applications are open through March 14, 2025.We will walk each applicant through the process. Learn more by exploring the University Innovation Fellows program website.

Learn more

Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows Program

Purpose: To recognize faculty that apply and develop expertise in co-curricular settings and for their support of students through guidance and participating in programs & events that elevate student entrepreneurs, such as the New Venture Competition (NVC).

Goals

1. Increase number of faculty mentors & advisors
   
2. Broaden range of skills and experiences of faculty mentors available to help students
3. Provide options for both advising and mentoring opportunities that best fit faculty expertise and interest
4. Create incentives for faculty to prioritize and invest their time in this program
   

Award design and requirements

• Awarded annually based on contributions/time
  

• CBA Deans Office will award $1,000 of professional development funds to CBA faculty achieving this designation
  

• Subject to approval of the faculty’s Dean, CBA Dean’s office will award $1,000 of professional development funds to non-CBA faculty achieving this designation
  

• Qualification requires~ 50 hours of contribution

NVC Faculty Fellows program requirements

Advising opportunities- contribute in established NVC programs, workshops and special events along with being an advisor to multiple student venture teams at workshops and other times as appropriate/needed. Approximately 50 hours may be achieved advising alone, or in combination with mentorship.

Attend several from the following events (2024/25 dates):

NVC Kick-off & Ideation – 2 hrs

Fall Mentor Meetups 1 and 2 – 4 hrs each

Fall Workshops – up to 4 hours

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) events – up to 4 hrsPitch Prep – 2 hrs

Moderate/assist in Make-A-Pitch – 4 hrs

Guidance and support at various IBIE events & speakers – up to 4 hours

Spring Mentor Meetups 3 & 4 – 4 hrs each

Spring Workshops – up to 4 hours

Spring/Fall Hackathon – up to 12 hrs

Other Spring prep and mentoring sessions – up to 6 hrs

Moderator/assist in April NVC event – up to 12 hrs

Total hours available 72

Mentorship opportunities - contribute in selected NVC programs, workshops and special events along with being a mentor for student venture teams. Approximately 50 hours may be achieved mentoring alone, or in combination with advising.

• Attend selected events (from above list) to achieve minimum of 25 hours
  

• Mentoring student teams typically requiring 1-2 hours per week, starting as early as October and especially during the Spring semester (J-F-M-A) leading up to the mid-April NVC event. Total expected hours 25.

Note: This program may align to Section F.3 regarding maintenance of AACSB IP Status, subject to approval of your administration.

Additional details of the commitment involved are available from Julie Messing, Director of the Entrepreneurship Institute. julie.messing@cmich.edu

Contact Julie Messing