Ivy Tech will launch a new School of Entrepreneurship in Fall 2022 at the Columbus Campus. This program is already making a difference for Indiana entrepreneurs in other parts of the state. The School was launched in 2021 in partnership with Regional Innovation and Startup Education (R.I.S.E.) to provide an Entrepreneur Certificate in as little as two semesters.
“Even before the pandemic, small businesses were struggling to find success, often because owners had a passion and a skill for developing a great product or service, but they lacked the tools needed to effectively run the business,” said Dr. Ronda Taylor, Dean of the Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Ivy Tech. “Our program is set up to provide practical skills they can put into action immediately around topics such as marketing, financials, human resources and legal considerations.”
According to the Small Business Administration, within the first five years, about half of all small businesses fail. Common reasons include inadequate funding, poor planning and management missteps. With Ivy Tech’s innovative approach, students will gain the skills and knowledge needed to properly minimize their risk and circumvent these pitfalls. Additionally, Ivy Tech provides pre-seed funding for prototyping and startup to help ensure the entrepreneurs are successful.
“We are excited to give this opportunity to all of our students and help them actually start their business while they are in the program. In addition to starting their business, they will be connected to the community, provided mentorship and coaching, and develop lifelong skills that can be transferred to any career,” said Donna Zeh, Ivy Tech Acting Program Chair for Entrepreneurship.
Steven Combs, Ivy Tech Chancellor for the Columbus service area, adds, “Ivy Tech is in an exciting period of transformation. This program is one more exciting initiative that will enhance the student experience and provide them with opportunities to integrate entrepreneurial skills as part of their career training.”
The Certificate Program is available at campuses in Indianapolis, Bloomington, South Bend and Fort Wayne. In addition to Columbus, the program will be launched to Lake County and Evansville in Fall 2022. Currently, 75 students are part of the first four cohorts that began in fall 2021, and at least 120 are expected to enroll this coming fall in a new set of cohorts.
Students can work toward a certificate program (16 credit hours), a technical certificate (31 credit hours) or an associate of applied science degree (60 credit hours). In addition to earning a credential in entrepreneurship, students can marry this program with other degree to earn multiple credentials at the same time. This is part of Ivy Tech’s stackable credentials option.
To learn more about the program, visit our website: https://www.ivytech.edu/study-entrepreneurship/index.html. Cohorts are limited to 20 students on a first come, first served basis. To express interest in this program, please complete the form at this link: https://ivytech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aW3RfZRpyR02MFo
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering associate degree and short-term certificate programs, and trainings that align to the needs of the community. The College also offers courses and associate degree programs that seamlessly transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a Bachelor’s degree.
