Programs for Students

Entrepreneurship Studies Program – Entrepreneur Scholars:

This undergraduate certificate program begins in the fall of each year with 12 students selected in a competitive application process.  The program is directed and taught by Dr. Paul Marsnik along with three other faculty members. The two year program includes:

• A 3 course sequence in entrepreneurial studies designed and taught exclusively for this selected group of students.
• Each Entrepreneur Scholar will have access to at least 10 mentors from business and nonprofit sectors.  Students will meet periodically with successful entrepreneurs and learn about the best practices of entrepreneurship.
• Entrepreneur Scholars will design a new venture, complete a feasibility plan and begin the ventures most likely to succeed.
• Entrepreneur Scholars will also travel both nationally and internationally to learn from entrepreneurs.

Increased Classroom Contact with Entrepreneurs:

Alums with entrepreneurial experience will be available for presentations in classes across the disciplines.

Center Mentors:

Volunteers for the center come in and meet individually, with teams or in small groups to give advice, insight and ideas on student ventures. These mentors are also available for site visits, informational interviews and individual advising.  Thank you mentors!

Center Mentor Program

Center Mentors Program:

One of the most powerful learning experiences for students engaged in the McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship programs is their engagement with our Center Mentor program. Mentors provide the sounding board for new ideas, frank feedback regarding everything to concepts, venture viability as well as career pathing, and for many students individuals in their personal and professional networks well beyond their time in our programs. 

During the 2017-18 Academic Year, we are adding a few more ways in which Mentors can help students.

Venture Mentor – Semester Commitment: One in person meeting, two additional meetings (could be video conference, telephone). Depending on the term, you would be a sounding board and advisor students going through the ideation and feasibility phase (ENTR 301 – Spring), business model considerations, venture/product prototyping and customer insights toward feasibility assessment (ENTR 302 – Fall) or completion of comprehensive business plan (ENTR 303 – Spring). Ventures and mentors would be matched by faculty and Center team members each semester. 

Venture Advisor – Commitment: Minimum one 4 hour block of time meeting with 3-4 students – may be scheduled at your convenience Monday-Thursday 8:00am -8:00pm. Ideally scheduled at the CSB/SJU campus, but also can be accommodated by Skype session at the McNeely Center Hatch. You would be providing advice to students on particular venture lifestage issues, startup requirements or specific functional needs to launch the venture. In addition, you may also provide specific industry insight. Prior to your meetings you will receive a summary of the students you will be meeting and a short summary of their agenda for meeting with you. 

If you would like to participate in the Center Mentor Program, please contact Kelli Gradin at [email protected]

Programs for Alums

Center Mentors Program:

Alums and friends of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University (CSB/SJU) will each visit campus for half-day sessions scheduled throughout the school year.  Students sign up for 30-60 minute visits with the Center Mentors to gather information that will further their work on their entrepreneurial venture or for their own career planning. In addition, student clubs operating fundraising ventures and students that run their own businesses or nonprofits will be encouraged to use these mentors.  Center Mentors will also be available for classroom presentations.  Center staff will provide orientation and support to the Center Mentors and assist the students in finding the right mentor for their questions. Click here for more information on this program.

The Entrepreneurial Leadership Series:

This speaker series will feature unsung successful entrepreneurs who are alums or friends of CSB/SJU.  This event occurs four times a year at in the Minneapolis area. Do you want to speak at one of our events? Do you want to be added to the invitation list? Contact Kelli Gradin at [email protected] for more information, and to be added to the list!

Square Table Series:

This series will play off a round table event feel, where alums of CSB/SJU come to campus to speak to a group of students.  This event occurs monthly. Do you want to speak at one of our events?  Contact Kelli Gradin at [email protected] for more information.

In class speaking, Panelists, Site Visit Host, and other volunteer opportunities:

Do you want to volunteer with the Donald McNeely Center, and our students, but don’t know where you fit? Click here to see other ways to get involved!

Programs for Faculty

Faculty Collaboration:

Entrepreneurship is all welcoming, all majors, all backrounds. We all have something to learn from one another.  At the Center, we are always looking for departments to collaborate with for on campus speakers, Center Mentors, event collaboration, and students who fit into the Entreprenreneur Scholars Program. Email the Center today to collaborate on an event for your department!

The Center is now offering 1 credit courses that are open, available, and applicable to students of all majors! Find more information here, and current courses coming soon!