BLOOMINGTON – Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington won the Entrepreneurial College of the Year Award from the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE). The award was announced at the annual conference on Monday, October 14. The college’s participation in NACCE initiatives and the measurable success of campus programs made it a standout contender for the national award.
“Ivy Tech Bloomington’s dedication to fostering innovation and empowering students to pursue entrepreneurial ventures has not only impacted the campus but also has made a significant difference in the community,” Lydia Perez, project coordinator for NACCE, said. “We believe this work is setting a standard for others to follow, and we’re excited to see how campus efforts continue to grow.”
Ivy Tech Bloomington’s Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship & Innovation and Cook Center for Entrepreneurship partner with The Mill, Duke Energy, the Indiana Small Business Development Center, the advisory board, and others to bring programming to students and the community. Recent programs include entrepreneurial student pop-up shops and pitch competitions.
“We are grateful for the support we receive through NACCE programming as well as through our own Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship to create opportunities for students we otherwise would not have had, including providing funding to help them launch and run their businesses,” Chancellor Erik Coyne said. “It’s because of the entrepreneurial ecosystem we have locally and within Indiana that our students are afforded opportunities to innovate and create.”
Programs specific to NAACE that the college participates in and have impacted Bloomington, include Citizen Entrepreneur Explorers Pilot Program, Everyday Entrepreneur, Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, and SkillPointe. As a member college, NACCE provides webinars, funding, and other resources to support Ivy Tech students and start-ups.
Last fall, Ivy Tech Bloomington won $40,000 in a pitch competition from NAACE to assemble a cybersecurity training lab on campus to support students and workforce demand.
Ivy Tech Bloomington established the Gayle and Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship in 2010 to provide students and local residents with the practical skills and resources they need to start and grow businesses.
Ivy Tech Community College established the Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship & Innovation in 2021 to support Indiana entrepreneurs. For more information about joining the entrepreneurship program at Ivy Tech Bloomington, contact program chair Sueann Graham at sgraham116@ivytech.edu.
Ivy Tech Bloomington offers more than 40 career and four-year transfer programs, with courses that start multiple times yearly for quick entry and graduation. To get started, apply for free online at ivytech.edu/bloomington, call 812-330-6013, or email askBloomington@ivytech.edu. For information on free, short-term training programs at Ivy Tech Bloomington, visit ivytech.edu/bloomington/NLJ.
NACCE Awards honor and celebrate entrepreneurial thinkers and doers by providing a platform to be recognized nationally for their importance and achievements to their college and local economy. The awards also highlight the role of the community and technical colleges in fostering economic vitality through entrepreneurship in their communities.
Ivy Tech Community College (ivytech.edu) 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 serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns to the needs of the community. The College provides seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana and out of state for a more affordable route to a bachelor’s degree. Follow Ivy Tech on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
