Take a stroll through Northside Hall on the Indiana University South Bend campus and you’ll see a space across from the Louise E. Addicott & Yatish J. Joshi Performance Hall that is hidden from view. The site that once housed the campus bookstore is undergoing a renovation. In the fall of 2025, it will become the new home for the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE).
While the space is under construction, what will happen inside is already becoming a reality. Several students are part of a new Entrepreneurship Student Ambassadors Program and others are piloting a Certificate in Entrepreneurship program.
That 40-hour certificate is open to students in any major. It consists of nine sessions (24 hours) that will comprise three workshops and a field experience (16 hours). Students earn a digital badge for each workshop they complete. Those verified badges can be listed on resumes and LinkedIn profiles. There is no charge for students to take part, just a time commitment.
“The response from students in our pilot programs has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have expressed enthusiasm about the hands-on opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills and connect with mentors,” said Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Modupe Adeoye.
Adeoye said students have shared valuable feedback, particularly around program structure and accessibility, which has been instrumental in shaping expansion plans.
“Students have suggested incorporating more flexible scheduling to accommodate working students, and we are actively integrating these suggestions into the next phase of our programs. Their input ensures our offerings are innovative and tailored to meet their needs,” she said.
Adeoye is excited about what the new space will offer when it’s complete. She said it has the potential to become the beating heart of entrepreneurship on campus.
“I’m looking forward to seeing students, faculty, and community entrepreneurs gather in a dynamic environment to inspire ideas and transform them into reality. The space represents more than just a physical location - it’s a commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and creating a home for groundbreaking ideas to flourish,” she said.
The new space will include areas for the formation of ideas and concepts and provide spaces to host workshops. Existing resources on campus will be leveraged for prototyping, allowing students to move seamlessly from concept to execution.
“A dedicated space also enhances our ability to host events, networking sessions, and speaker series, creating more opportunities for students to engage with mentors and industry experts. Most importantly, the space will symbolize the center’s role as a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship on campus and in the broader community,” Adeoye said.
Already she is seeing students engage through the Ambassador Program and a student club.
“Through the Entrepreneurship Student Club, I’ve seen students become leaders, organize events, mentor peers, and bring entrepreneurial ideas to life. The Ambassador Program, on the other hand, has been a shining example of how a small group of committed individuals can amplify the center’s mission,” she said.
Seeing ambassadors represent the CIE at events, build connections with stakeholders, and inspire their peers has been rewarding for Adeoye. Now attention is turning to getting professionals in the community involved for upcoming programs and projects.
“We’re looking to recruit professionals who can bring real-world expertise in areas critical to entrepreneurial success. This includes skills like business planning, digital marketing, fundraising, intellectual property law, and prototyping,” she said.
Adeoye is also eager to engage individuals who can speak to emerging trends like sustainability in business, artificial intelligence, and social entrepreneurship.
“We aim to expose students to diverse skills and perspectives, equipping them to navigate the evolving entrepreneurial landscape.”
You can learn more about the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship by visiting southbend.iu.edu/cie
