Bloomington, Indiana – Presented by the National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), the Bloomington campus of Ivy Tech Community College is a finalist for the Entrepreneurial College of the Year Award. This esteemed nomination emphasizes the college’s commitment to entrepreneurship, creativity, and great influence on the local community as well as on students.
The college is a unique nominee because of its constant involvement in NACCE projects and its quantifiable achievement via the Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship & Innovation and the Gayle and Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship. Among many other programs, these ones have given local businesses owners and students the tools and resources they need to succeed in the cutthroat corporate environment of today.
Ivy Tech Community College has become a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation
Ivy Tech Bloomington’s entrepreneurial spirit is driven by the collaboration between its Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship & Innovation and the Cook Center for Entrepreneurship. Combined, they have developed alliances with notable companies including The Mill, Duke Energy, and the Indiana Small Business Development Center. These partnerships have let the university provide creative programs for the larger community as well as for students, therefore strengthening Bloomington’s business ecosystem.
The college’s success mostly rests on its dedication to provide practical entrepreneurial opportunities. Ivy Tech Bloomington has held a variety of student exhibits and pitch contests whereby aspiring business owners present their ideas to prospective investors and get feedback. These possibilities allow students to acquire confidence and expertise as they advance in their professions through real-world business acumen development opportunities.
The college put great effort to make entrepreneurship essential to the Ivy Tech Bloomington experience. The students should be inspired to not only learn but also boldly pursue their own enterprises and help to shape the direction of the society.
Courtesy of Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College successes with the National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship programs
Ivy Tech Bloomington’s involvement with several of NACCE’s key programs has further solidified its place as a leader in entrepreneurial education. Students and local businesses have benefited much from programs such Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, Everyday Entrepreneur, and Citizen Entrepreneur Explorers Pilot Program. These programs empower participants with the expertise to start and maintain profitable businesses by focusing on practical skills such business planning, digital marketing, and scaling a company.
Last October, the college’s efforts received attention when it took home $40,000 from a NACCE pitch contest. With this award, Ivy Tech Bloomington was able to create a cutting-edge cybersecurity training lab on university grounds, therefore directly addressing the growing need for cybersecurity experts in the workforce of today. This victory not only underlined the college’s dedication to creativity but also its capacity to change to fit changing business needs.
A strong foundation in entrepreneurship
The Gayle and Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship has been instrumental in the college’s endeavor to inspire in its students an entrepreneurial attitude since its opening in 2010. The center provides business mentorship, startup advice, and seminars giving local businesses and students the tools and confidence they need to launch and expand profitable companies.
In 2021, Ivy Tech expanded on this foundation by establishing the Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship & Innovation. The institution was founded to assist Indiana companies in their path of development and expansion. Focusing on innovation and pragmatic business education, the Garatoni School has rapidly become a great benefit to the Bloomington neighborhood and beyond.
The college has seen firsthand the effects these initiatives have had on their students as well as the larger Bloomington community. The aim is to keep encouraging creativity, helping young businesses, and therefore promoting regional economic development.
Looking toward the future
Ivy Tech Bloomington’s nomination as a finalist for the Entrepreneurial College of the Year Award is evidence of the diligence and effort of its instructors, staff, and students as it develops as a center for entrepreneurial activity. The college’s focus on hands-on learning, community involvement, and teamwork has contributed to create a dynamic setting where entrepreneurship might flourish.
Ivy Tech Bloomington remains a major contributor in Indiana’s workforce development initiatives with almost 40 career and four-year transfer programs available. For students looking for a quick road to a fulfilling profession, its adaptable course choices and free application process make it an appropriate option. Its dedication to provide free, short-term training courses also guarantees that even individuals seeking a rapid upskill has prospects to improve employability.
The acknowledgement itself already says volumes about Ivy Tech Bloomington’s influence on the entrepreneurial scene as the campus awaits the NACCE award final results. Through its collaborations, creative initiatives, or student success stories, the college is definitely influencing Indiana’s economic and innovation future.
For more information on Ivy Tech Bloomington’s entrepreneurship programs, including free training options, visit ivytech.edu/bloomington or contact the campus directly at 812-330-6013.
