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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.
Stirring up healthy habits: Dietetics students collaborate with the College of Medicine for meal prep and cooking tips
by
Kathleen Hodgkins
On Wednesday, January 22, students from the Central Michigan University dietetics program presented an interactive session on healthy cooking and meal preparation to College of Medicine students. This unique event aims to foster collaboration and build an interprofessional network among future healthcare professionals, united by a shared goal of promoting better health outcomes through nutrition.
The presentation featured a demonstration, practical meal prep tips, and discussions on the vital role of nutrition in healthcare. Attendees gained insights into how dietetics and medicine can work together to address chronic diseases, support patient wellness, and create a culture of holistic care.
“This event provides an opportunity for dietetics and medical students to learn from each other and understand how their respective fields can intersect to improve patient care,” said Dr. Jeff Fisher, director of the Allen Foundation Culinary Nutrition Center. “By bringing these future professionals together, we’re planting the seeds for meaningful collaboration that can make a real impact in the healthcare system.”
Participants will leave with practical tools for implementing healthy meal strategies in clinical and personal settings, as well as a deeper appreciation for the critical connection between food and health.
About Central Michigan's dietetics program
The dietetics program at Central Michigan University is dedicated to training the next generation of nutrition professionals through hands-on learning, community engagement, and evidence-based practice. With a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, the program prepares students to meet the challenges of promoting health and wellness in diverse populations.
To learn more about the nutrition and dietetics program and course offerings, please contact program director, Dr. Najat Yehia at yahia1n@cmich.edu. For more information about the nutrition minor, please contact Dr. Jeff Fisher at fishe2jj@cmich.edu.
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.
