SPRINGFIELD, MA – April 23, 2013 -- The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges, has named two additional educators to its 2013 roster of NACCE Fellows.

Joining the four NACCE fellows named in January are Syracuse University’s Entrepreneur in Residence John Liddy and Doan Winkel, an assistant professor in the Department of Management and Quantitative Methods at Illinois State University. Their one-year fellowships will include providing leadership development training at six regional NACCE Summits and the annual NACCE conference, as well as conducting research on the topic of entrepreneurial leadership.

"John Liddy and Doan Winkel are great additions to the NACCE Fellows team,” said NACCE Executive Director Heather Van Sickle. "They both have shown tremendous leadership skills in the field of entrepreneurship education. John created the Student Sandbox at Syracuse University; this 12-week program leads students through business creation and is now being adopted by other institutions. Doan Winkel created The Entrepreneurship Education Project, a forum of nearly 400 educators from over 70 countries who are collaboratively learning how to create and deliver entrepreneurship education. We’re certain John and Doan can inspire NACCE members to become leaders of entrepreneurship in their own communities.”

The NACCE Fellows Program is designed to benefit members across the country by increasing their access to research and education that will help them support and grow entrepreneurship in their communities. Fellows were previously named in the areas of community outreach and curriculum and training. Funding for the 2013 NACCE Fellows program has been provided by the Coleman Foundation, a long-standing partner of NACCE.

About NACCE

Professional Development Event Will Focus

on Role of Entrepreneurship in Workforce Development

Springfield, MA – March 10, 2013 – A one-day summit on the role of entrepreneurship in workforce development will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at the Rancho Santiago Community College District Offices in Santa Ana, CA, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event is one of six regional summits being held around the country by the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges. California’s Economic and Workforce Development’s Business and Entrepreneurship Center (BEC) Program is sponsoring the California summit, providing free registration (including lunch) for all participants.

"The summit will generate discussion on the potential for community colleges, government agencies, community partners, entrepreneurs, and other organizations to partner, spur innovation and job creation in California, and leap-frog perceived barriers of decreased funding and limited resources,” said Michael Roessler, statewide director of BEC program. "We hope community college trustees, presidents, faculty and staff, along with entrepreneurs and other key stakeholders will join us for this important session on how we can work together to support the growth of entrepreneurship in our state through innovative entrepreneurship education programs.”

"Community colleges are where entrepreneurship education and workforce development come together to drive economic development,” said NACCE Executive Director Heather Van Sickle. "As part of this summit, attendees will have the opportunity to network with other entrepreneurially-minded colleagues, share best practices, and gain core skills that enable them to implement the five action steps of NACCE’s Presidents for Entrepreneurship Pledge. Through the pledge, over 180 community college presidents across the country have committed to helping individuals and families achieve their personal and business dreams.”

To register for the NACCE/BEC Community College Entrepreneurship Summit, visit http://www.nacce.com/events/event_list.asp.

THREE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP MEMBERS SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE INNOVATION FUND AMERICA INITIATIVE

Pilot Program Will Help Launch and Grow Technology-based Startups

in California, Kansas and North Carolina

SPRINGFIELD, MA – FEBRUARY 4, 2013 – Three members of the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) have been selected to pilot an entrepreneurship education and startup funding program known as Innovation Fund America (IFA). IFA is a nonprofit partnership between the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a leading national supporter of entrepreneurship, and Lorain County Community College (LCCC) in Elyria, Ohio. The NACCE member colleges chosen for the program, which will invest in, mentor and motivate high-growth entrepreneurs, are Long Beach City College in Long Beach, California; Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas; and Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, North Carolina.

Last May, the Kauffman Foundation made a grant of $1 million to fund the creation of the IFA organization and is working with LCCC to replicate nationally the college's successful Innovation Fund model for mentoring and funding high-growth startups, especially first-time founders. LCCC's Innovation Fund has seen considerable success in spurring sustainable economic growth in northeast Ohio, a hard-hit region dominated by manufacturing.

Launched by the LCCC Foundation in 2007, the Innovation Fund offers vital support to new and young firms through pre-seed-stage access to capital for proof of concept, intensive coaching and mentoring, and education and internship opportunities. To date, LCCC's Innovation Fund has invested $6.5 million in 94 companies that have created more than 300 jobs, provided more than 150 paid internships, generated $17 million in revenue, and raised $71 million in follow-on funding.

"The three selected colleges are prime examples of the difference community colleges that embrace entrepreneurship can make in their communities, and we couldn't be more pleased that they were chosen to pilot this important program,” said NACCE Executive Director Heather Van Sickle. "Each of the colleges has been an active NACCE member.

"Currently, Gary Muller, department head of Business Programs of Catawba Valley Community College is serving as a NACCE Fellow with a focus on community outreach,” added Van Sickle. "Over the past two years, Long Beach City College was a member of the Virtual Incubation Network, a pilot program for the concept of virtual incubation that NACCE managed along with the American Association of Community Colleges. And Johnson County Community College is a long-time NACCE member; educational professionals from there have made numerous presentations at our annual conference and written articles for our quarterly journal.”

Community colleges across the United States applied to participate in the new IFA program. The three pilot schools were selected after several rounds of interviews, site visits and study of entrepreneurs' needs in each community. IFA seeks to prove the viability of its model in the pilot sites before expanding the program to additional community college campuses nationwide.

About NACCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Heather Van Sickle

vansickle@nacce.com

(413) 306-3131 ext. 303

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP SELECTS FIRST-EVER NACCE FELLOWS

Fellowships Will Advance Learning in Fields of Community Outreach and Entrepreneurship Curriculum and Training

SPRINGFIELD, MA – JANUARY 15, 2013 -- The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), the nation's leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges, has named its first-ever NACCE Fellows. The one-year fellowships will include applied research in entrepreneurship education and will improve NACCE's educational offerings to members. The areas of focus for this year's NACCE Fellows will be Curriculum and Training and Community Outreach.

"The NACCE Fellows Program is an exciting new addition to our offerings that will benefit our members across the country by increasing their access to research and education that will help them support and grow entrepreneurship in their communities,” said NACCE Executive Director Heather Van Sickle. "We are extremely grateful to our partner, the Coleman Foundation , for providing the funding to support this program. We are also very happy to have four outstanding individuals join the NACCE team for 2013.”

The 2013 NACCE Fellows in Curriculum and Training are:

• Christine Mollenkopf-Pigsley, an Entrepreneurship instructor at Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) in Rosemount, MN. Mollenkopf-Pigsley joined DCTC in 2004 and has been highly involved in developing the college's entrepreneurship programs. Her many entrepreneurship-related activities include designing an entrepreneurship curriculum for a new Small Business Operations certificate, developing a summer Entrepreneurship academy for high school students, and serving as the faculty advisor for an Entrepreneurship Team that was awarded a national gold medal at Skills USA 2012. She previously served as associate dean of Business & Entrepreneurship and dean of Student Affairs & General Education at DCTC.

• Amy Valente, a Business instructor at Cayuga Community College in Auburn, NY. Valente joined the college in 2010, having previously served as an adjunct faulty member at Finger Lakes Community College and the University of Phoenix. In addition to teaching classroom and online courses at Cayuga Community College she has coordinated SUNY-wide business idea competitions and a SUNY-wide entrepreneurship educational conference.

The 2013 NACCE Fellows in Community Outreach are:

Gary Muller , department head of Business Programs at Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) in Hickory, NC. Muller joined the college in 2008 and been actively involved in developing an entrepreneurship program, including initiating a CVCC Shark Tank competition for students and staff, the CVCC Emerging Entrepreneurs Club, and the CVV Entrepreneurship Speakers Series. Muller also teaches business and entrepreneurship courses and oversees the college's Small Business Center.

Timothy Putnam , associate director of the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC), in Mason City, IA.Putnam joined NIACC in 2000 and has developed and delivered entrepreneurial training programs for grades K-16 and for adults. He lead the effort for the creation of the North Iowa Venture Capital Fund, now with $4.1 million in two funds for investment in early stage, emerging and growth companies. He also managed the Iowa Entrepreneurial Consortium a statewide entrepreneurial FastTrac® training program.

About NACCE

The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), which celebrated its 10^th anniversary in 2012, is an organization of educators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished business development professionals providing quality programs and services in entrepreneurship education and serving as advocates community-based entrepreneurship. Founded in 2002, NACCE is at the heart of the "entrepreneurship movement.” Through membership, an annual conference and exhibition, a quarterly journal, monthly webinars and podcasts, a dynamic list-serv, and other resources, NACCE serves as the hub for the dissemination and integration of knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. These programs and courses advance economic prosperity in the communities served by its member colleges. NACCE is a founding member of the White House-led Startup America Partnership . For more information, visit http://www.nacce.com . Follow NACCE on Twitter at @NACCE and like the NACCE – National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship page on Facebook.

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vansickle@nacce.com (413) 306-3131 ext. 303

U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP FORM STRATEGIC ALLIANCE

New Collaboration Will Involve Joint Training and Outreach Activities

Washington, D.C. – December 4, 2012– The U.S. Small Business Administration and the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) have entered into a strategic alliance that will enable the two organizations to jointly pursue their shared mission of expanding entrepreneurship and small business development in communities across the country. In the coming months, the two organizations will develop joint training programs and outreach activities to educate NACCE members about the many resources the SBA has available for small business owners and entrepreneurs.

"We recognize that the work NACCE members are doing in entrepreneurship education in the communities they serve is of great importance in our nation's push to support the growth of small business,” said Michael Chodos, the SBA's Associate Administrator for the Office of Entrepreneurial Development. "The SBA has many resources and experts who can support this work, and we are looking forward to building a strong relationship with NACCE and its members that gives us a new way to reach out to small business owners and would-be small business owners all across the country.”

Now celebrating its 10^th anniversary, NACCE is t he nation's leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges. The nonprofit includes over 300 colleges in the U.S. and abroad, representing over 1,400 entrepreneurship education professionals who expose approximately 465,000 students to the possibility of putting their newly acquired skills and knowledge to work in their own business, if not immediately then at some point in the future.

"NACCE members work with small business owners and would-be entrepreneurs every day on their campuses,” said NACCE Executive Director Heather Van Sickle. "The SBA has a wealth of information and resources that can be tremendously helpful to these individuals – resources that can help them get their business started or help an existing business grow and prosper. We look forward to collaborating closely with the SBA to make sure our members are fully aware of all that the SBA has to offer.”

About NACCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Heather Van Sickle
NACCE
(413) 306-3131

Nancy Laichas
DSEF
(202) 416-6438

Brad Reichard
FOCUS Communications LLC
(202) 600-8575

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DIRECT SELLING ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAM ENABLES COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO PROVIDE CONTINUING EDUCATION TO DIRECT SELLERS NATIONWIDE

Curriculum Offers a Pathway to Entrepreneurship for the Nation’s 16 Million-Plus Direct Sellers

(Washington, DC. – Nov. 1, 2012) -- With the national conversation turning toward strategies to help Americans create alternative career opportunities in a bleak job market, the Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF) and the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) today unveiled the Direct Selling Entrepreneur Program.The program—a direct selling curriculum to be offered through community colleges across the United States—provides direct sellers with management and entrepreneurial skills to help them increase their business success.

"The Direct Selling Entrepreneur Program is an acknowledgement from the higher education community of the important entrepreneurial contribution of direct selling,” says DSEF Executive Director Charlie Orr. "The Direct Selling Education Foundation contributes and supports a range of meaningful activities for an ethical marketplace that promotes fairness, economic opportunity and independence. The same values and influences that drive many individuals to pursue a direct selling entrepreneurial opportunity will motivate them to pursue the education that will bring them even greater success.”

Developed through a partnership between NACCE and the DSEF, the Direct Selling Entrepreneur Program is a thirty-hour, ten-module, non-credit course. As a widely-available business and entrepreneurship curriculum customized to address direct sellers’ specific needs, the Direct Selling Entrepreneur Program fills an educational gap that will allow community colleges to help direct sellers implement the business fundamentals that must be in place to manage and successfully grow their businesses. The program is available at select colleges beginning in November 2012, with NACCE member colleges across the country to offer the program to students in 2013.

"Today’s growing ranks of direct selling professionals are nearly 16 million strong, proving that direct selling is an excellent way for many individuals to create their own jobs,” says NACCE Executive Director Heather Van Sickle. "In turn, this growing market provides a currently untapped opportunity for community colleges in cities and towns across the United States. The Direct Selling Entrepreneur Program curriculum offers a new way for community colleges to empower those in their communities to create their own futures, and also creates more successful business owners out of current direct sellers. We are excited with the curriculum our partnership with DSEF has produced, and we look forward to the guidance and ultimate success this curriculum will offer to current and potential direct sellers.”

The Direct Selling Entrepreneur Program’s modules emphasize the fundamental components of small business management including: marketing; finance; business ethics; and, planning, as well as other proficiencies that are important to the success of a small enterprise. In addition, course participants gain deep understanding of the wide variety of direct selling business strategies including individual sales efforts, party plan and network marketing scenarios, online sales and salesforce recruitment and training.

The Direct Selling Entrepreneur Program will attract a broad range of direct sellers, from those who are new to direct selling, to those with years of direct sales experience. Colleges will enlist course faculty through their regular vetting and selection process including, full-time faculty, adjuncts or educators contracted to deliver this program.

The cost for the full set of materials required for a 20-participant session of the Direct Selling Entrepreneur Program is $500 and includes the following materials:

• Instructor Manual: The manual outlines the purpose of each module, time allotments and module lesson plans. The session-by-session guide for instructors is organized by module, topic and subtopic.
  
  Tips and tools are also included to encourage an interactive, adult-learning environment. Supplemental tools for facilitators include discussion starters, handy hints and resource spotlights. PowerPoint slides, as well as additional activities and resources, can be downloaded from the program’s website at www.directsellingentrepreneur.com.
  
  Also included is access to all online course materials, as well as Graduation/Certificate of Completion templates.

• Participant Workbook: The workbook includes activity worksheets, select text and supplemental resources.

Upcoming courses include:

Laredo Community College, Laredo, Texas

Session Dates: Tuesdays, Nov. 27 - Feb. 5
Session Times: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

To Register for Laredo, Texas location contact:
Janet Miller: (956) 721-5110 or email edc@laredo.edu

Seminole State College of Florida, Orlando, Florida

Session Dates: Tuesdays, Jan. 15 - Mar. 26, 2013

Session Times: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

To Register for Orlando, FL location contact:
Patricia Karper: (407) 321-3495 ext. 104 or email karperp@seminolestate.edu

Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, Kansas

Session Dates: Wednesdays, Feb. 27- May 8

Session Times: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

To Register for Overland Park, KS location contact:

Donna Duffey: (913) 469-8500 ext. 3475 or email dduffey@jccc.edu

Minnesota State Community & Technical College, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

TBD

To Register for Detroit Lakes, MN location contact:
G.L Tucker: (218) 846-3765 or email gl.tucker@minnesota.edu

About NACCE

Vision: Creating economic vitality through entrepreneurship

Founded in 2002, the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) fosters economic development by serving as the hub for the dissemination and integration of knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. NACCE helps community colleges nationwide link their traditional role of workforce development with entrepreneurial development. The result is innovative programs and courses that advance economic growth and prosperity in the communities served by the colleges.

About DSEF

The Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF) was founded in 1973 to serve the public interest by advancing the direct selling industry’s support of consumer rights and protection, education about the industry, ethical leadership and individual economic empowerment. Through its partnerships with consumer advocates, educators and students, public policy officials, and members of the small business and entrepreneurship community, DSEF engages and educates the public on the ways direct selling empowers individuals, supports communities and strengthens economies worldwide.

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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP INVITES COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS TO HOST REGIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
EDUCATION SUMMITS

$40,000 in Funding Available for 8 Summits in 2013: Proposals Due December 14

Springfield, MA – November 12, 2012 – As part of its celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week, the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) announced today that it is requesting proposals from community colleges to host regional NACCE Summits in 2013 centered on the topic of entrepreneurship education. These NACCE-sponsored, one-day training sessions will seek to bring together key stakeholders who are essential in building a sustainable, high-impact entrepreneurship program at a community college and the area it serves. NACCE is the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges.

Proposals in response to the NACCE Summit RFP available at http://www.nacce.com/?page=newfunding must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on December 14, 2012, to be considered.

"The NACCE Summits will extend the learning and networking opportunities that NACCE members have long enjoyed at our annual conference,” said NACCE Executive Director Heather Van Sickle. "Thanks to $40,000 in funding generously provided by our partners, Sam’s Club^® and the Coleman Foundation, we will be able to hold up to eight NACCE Summits in 2013. Each selected college will receive a minimum of $3,500 to organize and host the event. NACCE will also provide key support such as speakers, content and online registration. Colleges can also join together regionally to make a proposal to host one of these events.”

"All applying colleges must have demonstrated their leadership in entrepreneurship education by being organizational members of NACCE and by the college president having signed onto the commitments of our Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum,” said Van Sickle. The NACCE membership and presidential sign-on must be in place by the end of Global Entrepreneurship Week on November 16, 2012. These requirements will also be in place in future years for the NACCE Summit program, so colleges that are interested in participating in this program beyond 2013 are encouraged to become members of NACCE and the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum now.”

About NACCE

The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), which celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year, is an organization of educators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished business development professionals providing quality programs and services in entrepreneurship education and serving as advocates community-based entrepreneurship. Founded in 2002, NACCE is at the heart of the "entrepreneurship movement.”

Through membership, an annual conference and exhibition, a quarterly journal, monthly webinars and podcasts, a dynamic list-serv, and other resources, NACCE serves as the hub for the dissemination and integration of knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. These programs and courses advance economic prosperity in the communities served by its member colleges. NACCE is a founding member of the White House-led Startup America Partnership.

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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CELEBRATES GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK BY LAUNCHING NEW NACCE 2013 FELLOWS PROGRAM

Applications for 2013 Fellows Due November 30

Springfield, MA – November 13, 2012 – The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges, today kicked off its participation in this year’s Global Entrepreneurship Week by announcing the launch of the NACCE Fellows Program. This new undertaking will engage six NACCE Fellows in applied research in entrepreneurship education in the fields of entrepreneurial leadership, curriculum and training and community outreach.

Applicants must respond to an RFP available at http://www.nacce.com/?page=newfunding by 11:59 p.m. on November 30, 2012, to be considered for the program. The positions are open to community college faculty, staff, administrators and leadership.

"The NACCE Fellows Program is an exciting new addition to our offerings that will benefit our members across the country by increasing their access to research and education that will help them support and grow entrepreneurship in their communities,” said NACCE Executive Director Heather Van Sickle. "We are extremely grateful to our partner, the Coleman Foundation, for providing the funding to support this program.”

Responsibilities of the NACCE Fellows will include conducting research, planning and executing events, publishing findings through NACCE media, and conducting outreach. While most responsibilities can be conducted remotely, fellows will be required to attend monthly teleconference meetings and participate in four regional NACCE Summits, a new educational program that is also being introduced by NACCE during Global Entrepreneurship Week.

The NACCE Fellows will begin their duties at the start of 2013 with the fellowships running for a one-year period. Two NACCE Entrepreneurial Leadership Fellows will receive a stipend of $7,200 each; these individuals must have experience as a community college president. The other four NACCE Fellows will receive stipends of $6,000 each.

"All six NACCE Fellows must be with colleges that have demonstrated their leadership in entrepreneurship education by being organizational members of NACCE and by the college president having signed onto the commitments of our Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum,” said Van Sickle. The NACCE membership and presidential sign-on must be in place by the end of Global Entrepreneurship Week on November 16, 2012. These requirements will also be in place in future years for the NACCE Fellows program, so educators who are interested in participating in this program beyond 2013 should urge their colleges to become members of NACCE and the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum now.”

About NACCE

The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), which celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year, is an organization of educators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished business development professionals providing quality programs and services in entrepreneurship education and serving as advocates community-based entrepreneurship. Founded in 2002, NACCE is at the heart of the "entrepreneurship movement.”

Through membership, an annual conference and exhibition, a quarterly journal, monthly webinars and podcasts, a dynamic list-serv, and other resources, NACCE serves as the hub for the dissemination and integration of knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. These programs and courses advance economic prosperity in the communities served by its member colleges. NACCE is a founding member of the White House-led Startup America Partnership.

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ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY-MOUNTAIN HOME CHANCELLOR JOINS NATIONAL FORUM TO PROMOTE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship Promotes Entrepreneurship by Engaging Community Colleges to Join New Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum

Mountain Home, Ark.—November 5, 2012 -- The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges, has announced that Chancellor Robin Myers of Arkansas State University-Mountain Home has joined its Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum. Through the program, leaders of community colleges throughout the country commit to increase the focus on entrepreneurship at their institutions and the impact these colleges have on the economic well being of the communities they serve.

With the economy still lagging in many regions of the United States, more than 186 community colleges throughout the country have joined the entrepreneurship forum, and by doing so, have committed to playing a greater role in stimulating economic development in the communities they serve. Officials for 16 other Arkansas community colleges are also members of the forum.

Dr. Robin Myers, Chancellor of Arkansas State University-Mountain Home stated, "The university is committed to the improvement of our regional economy and participation in this initiative will provide resources and a framework for moving forward."

About the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum

The Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum is in response to the Obama Administration’s Startup America Call to Action to stimulate economic growth state by state by encouraging entrepreneurs to start their own businesses. NACCE is a founding affiliate of the Startup America Partnership, an alliance of the country’s most innovative entrepreneurs, corporations, universities, foundations, and other leaders.

According to NACCE Executive Director, Heather Van Sickle, the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum is a way for community colleges to advance entrepreneurship and create jobs across the country.

Community college presidents who join the Forum make five commitments:

• Develop transparency of community college and community assets

• Create internal and external teams dedicated to entrepreneurship

• Increase entrepreneurs’ engagement in community colleges

• Engage in industry cluster development

• Create broad exposure to their college’s commitment to entrepreneurship.

"The five commitments were developed based on NACCE’s observations of what was working best on member campuses,” said Van Sickle. "After observing the entrepreneurship-related activities of our members over a period of years, we started to see commonalities among the more successful institutions,” she said. "One of the major things that clearly makes a difference is the commitment by leadership to entrepreneurship.”

About NACCE

The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), which celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year, is an organization of educators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished business development professionals providing quality programs and services in entrepreneurship education and serving as advocates community-based entrepreneurship. Founded in 2002, NACCE is at the heart of the "entrepreneurship movement.”

Through membership, an annual conference and exhibition, a quarterly journal, monthly webinars and podcasts, a dynamic list-serv, and other resources, NACCE serves as the hub for the dissemination and integration of knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. These programs and courses advance economic prosperity in the communities served by its member colleges. NACCE is a founding member of the White House-led Startup America Partnership.

For more information, visit http://www.nacce.com. Follow NACCE on Twitter at @NACCE and like the NACCE – National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship page on Facebook.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Heather Van Sickle
vansickle@nacce.com
(413) 306-3131 ext. 303
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COLEMAN FOUNDATION AWARDS $58,700 TO COMMUNITY COLLEGES AT 10^th ANNUAL NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONFERENCE

Foundation Also Announces Multi-year Financial Support for NACCE

Springfield, MA – October 18, 2012 – Seven community colleges came away with a share of $33,750 in elevator grants provided by the Coleman Foundation at the 10^th Annual Conference of the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, held earlier this month in Chicago, Illinois. The grants are to be used to develop successful practices for creatively involving entrepreneurs in entrepreneurship and self-employment education.

In addition, Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington, in Bloomington, Indiana, picked up a $25,000 bonus award for its implementation of the Entrepreneur Engagement Plan it undertook as a result of winning one of 11 elevator grants from the Coleman Foundation at last year’s NACCE Conference. A video which describes this implementation may be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xvpBL3L26LI.

"The monies awarded this year by the Coleman Foundation bring their total grants to NACCE members to over $500,000,” said NACCE Executive Director Heather Van Sickle. "I cannot stress how important this support has been to helping NACCE members develop best practices in entrepreneurship education and support services. The impact of this money has been felt in dozens of communities all across the country where our members are working hard to help entrepreneurs make their dreams a reality.”

"We view the elevator grant program as an important way to both add excitement to NACCE’s annual conference event as well as to reinforce the elements of NACCE’s agenda which align with Coleman Foundation interests,” said Michael Hennessy, President of the Coleman Foundation. "The foundation believes that practitioners such as alumni and local entrepreneurs must be part of a student’s learning experience. These elevator winners are exploring ways to do this and our competition at the conference allows these solutions to be shared across NACCE member colleges.”

Support for NACCE

The Coleman Foundation has also agreed to a multi-year commitment of financial support for NACCE. "The Coleman Foundation has been at our side since NACCE’s founding in 2002,” said Van Sickle. "We are very grateful for their continued support of our organization. They have been a key player in enabling us to become the leading national organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship and self-employment through community colleges.”

Grant Winners

The elevator grants awarded at the NACCE Conference are small grants targeted to specific projects. Targeting specific projects, and not general operating support or capital, encourages new initiatives and allows the funding impact to be more easily identified.

This year’s grant winners and the projects they intend to pursue to engage entrepreneurs in their entrepreneurship and self-employment education programs are:

• SUNY Ulster Community College, Stone Ridge, NY – $5,000 to launch "Community Creations,” a student-run business. Program Director: Mindy Kole

• West Shore Community College, Scottville, MI – $5,000 for promotion and expansion of a business opportunity contest through internships and a video. Program Director: Julie Van Dyke

• Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City, MI – $5,000 to launch an entrepreneurial micro-business course. Program Director: John Fitzpatrick

• Cayuga Community College Program, Auburn, NY – $5,000 to launch a business idea competition with entrepreneur mentors. Director: Thomas Paczkowski

• South Mountain Community College, Phoenix, AZ – $3,750 to engage local entrepreneurs using the Clifton Strengths Finder Assessment and Training program. Program Director: Bruce Mc Henry

• Hinds Community College – Utica Campus, Utica, MS – $5,000 for the "Get Connected” program to attract community and student entrepreneurs and encourage business start-ups. Program Director: Jessica Smith

• Rancho Santiago Community College District, Santa Ana, CA – $5,000 to launch an advisory council to integrate entrepreneurial concepts into classroom curriculum. Program Director: Maricela Sandoval

About The Coleman Foundation

The Coleman Foundation is a private, independent grantmaker focusing primarily on supporting Midwest non-profit organizations.Foundation resources support cancer treatment, developmental disability services, and entrepreneurship education. In 1981, the Foundation began to question why individuals are encouraged to "get a job” rather than to "create” one.Since that time, the Foundation has committed over $50 million to improve the quality of entrepreneurship education, promote the option of self-employment, and help create a new generation of business owners.For more information, visit http://www.colemanfoundation.org.

About NACCE

The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), which celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year, is an organization of educators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished business development professionals providing quality programs and services in entrepreneurship education and serving as advocates community-based entrepreneurship. Founded in 2002, NACCE is at the heart of the "entrepreneurship movement.”

Through membership, an annual conference and exhibition, a quarterly journal, monthly webinars and podcasts, a dynamic list-serv, and other resources, NACCE serves as the hub for the dissemination and integration of knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. These programs and courses advance economic prosperity in the communities served by its member colleges. NACCE is a founding member of the White House-led Startup America Partnership.

For more information on NACCE’s 10^th Annual Conference, visit http://www.nacce2012.com.

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FRIENDLY’S CO-FOUNDER, S. PRESTLEY BLAKE, IS HONORED WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

(Springfield, MA) – (October 16, 2012) –The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), which is headquartered at the Scibelli Enterprise Center at Springfield Technical Community College, has presented its 2012 Lifetime Achievement award to S. Prestley Blake, who co-founded the Friendly Ice Cream Corp. with his brother, Curtis, in 1935. The honor was bestowed at NACCE’s 10^thannual conference, held last week in Chicago, IL. NACCE is the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges.

"Our Lifetime Achievement award is presented to someone who has not only built a highly successful business but who also has played an important role in their community through participation in civic and philanthropic activities,” said NACCE’s Executive Director Heather Van Sickle. "Everyone here in the Pioneer Valley knows about the great business Mr. Blake and his brother built, but fewer people are aware of the very important role he had in both the founding of STCC and of NACCE, an organization whose members are helping entrepreneurs and small business people all across the country make their dreams come true.

"Not only was Mr. Blake very instrumental in encouraging the re-use of the Springfield Armory buildings for a community college in 1968, he also provided the $100,000 in seed money that supported the founding of NACCE in 2002,” Van Sickle said. "In the ten years since then, NACCE has grown to include nearly 300 colleges in the U.S. and abroad, representing over 1,400 entrepreneurship education professionals who expose approximately 465,000 students to the possibility of putting their newly acquired skills and knowledge to work in their own business, if not immediately then at some point in the future. The long-lasting and widespread impact of Mr. Blake’s initial grant cannot be overstated. He truly helped us start a movement for entrepreneurship on community college campuses, and as we celebrate our 10^th year, we are honored to recognize him with the Lifetime Achievement award.”

Now age 97, Mr. Blake lives in Connecticut. His autobiography, A Friendly Life, was published last year.

 
About NACCE
The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), which celebrates its 10^thanniversary this year, is an organization of educators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished business development professionals providing quality programs and services in entrepreneurship education and serving as advocates community-based entrepreneurship. Founded in 2002, NACCE is at the heart of the "entrepreneurship movement.”

Through membership, an annual conference and exhibition, a quarterly journal, monthly webinars and podcasts, a dynamic list-serv, and other resources, NACCE serves as the hub for the dissemination and integration of knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. These programs and courses advance economic prosperity in the communities served by its member colleges. NACCE is a founding member of the White House-ledStartup America Partnership.

For more information, visit http://www.nacce.com. Follow NACCE on Twitter at @NACCE and like the NACCE – National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship page on Facebook.

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP WELCOMES SAM’S CLUB®

Sponsorship Includes $40,000 in Funding for Community Colleges Demonstrating Excellence in Supporting Small Businesses

(Springfield, MA) – (October 5, 2012) – Sam’s Club^®, one of the nation’s leading retailers, and the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship have joined together to provide financial support for NACCE and for members of its Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum. The Sam’s Club sponsorship is part of the retailer’s commitment to supporting community based programs that empower small businesses. The sponsorship will include a "Shared Vision for Small Business” competition that will result in $40,000 in grants to community colleges that show excellence in their entrepreneurship programs. The new relationship between the two organizations will be launched at the 10^thAnnual NACCE Conference, being held in Chicago, IL, October 7-10.

"Sam’s Club is committed to supporting small business owners and the next generation of entrepreneurs with tools for success that will empower them to build economic well-being for their families and communities, and to create new jobs,” said Catherine Corley, Vice President Member Services at Sam’s Club and Community Involvement Council Member. "Across the nation, many community colleges are taking a leadership role in fostering entrepreneurship and NACCE is supporting them in that role. We are pleased to join with NACCE in its commitment to increase the capacity of these institutions to deliver relevant and effective programming that leads to successful, sustainable business ventures.”

Now in its 10^thyear, NACCE is the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges. NACCE includes nearly 300 colleges in the U.S. and abroad, representing over 1,400 entrepreneurship education professionals who expose approximately 465,000 students to the possibility of putting their newly acquired skills and knowledge to work in their own business, if not immediately then at some point in the future.

"Everyone at NACCE is very excited about our work with Sam’s Club,” said Heather Van Sickle, NACCE executive director. "As our organization moves into our second decade, our nation’s capacity to foster entrepreneurship and support small businesses has never been more critical. We thank the Sam’s Club for stepping up to the plate on behalf of our member colleges and the aspiring entrepreneurs they serve.”

Grant Competition
A major focus of the new Sam’s Club/NACCE sponsorship will be NACCE’s Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum. Over 180 community college presidents, including NACCE members and nonmembers, have joined the Forum, which was launched in late 2011. These educational leaders have agreed to fulfill five commitments that will increase both the focus on entrepreneurship at community colleges and the impact these colleges have on the economic well-being of the communities they serve.

Grants totaling $40,000 will be awarded to Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum members via a Sam’s Club/NACCE "Shared Vision for Small Business” Competition. Applicants that show they have the elements in place to do an outstanding job in supporting small businesses will be eligible for grants designed to allow them to scale-up their successful entrepreneurship projects. Additionally, applicants will be expected to demonstrate specifically how they support recent graduates, low-income, minority, women, and/or veteran populations. To foster the growth of best practices, information on the entrepreneurship programs at the winning colleges will be made available to other community colleges across the country through the NACCE website.

Sam’s Club will have a major presence at the upcoming NACCE Conference. This will include sponsorship for the Student Business Showcase, where students pitch their ideas to attendees and attendees "vote” using Monopoly money which business idea they would fund. Representatives from Sam’s Club and NACCE will present cash awards to the top three students.

About the Sam’s Club Giving Program
The Sam’s Club Giving Program supports community-based programs that empower young people, families and small businesses to make smart choices that lead to healthy and bright futures. In 2011, Sam’s Club and the Sam’s Club Giving Program made cash and in-kind contributions of more than $101 million, which included donating more than 38 million meals. Visit SamsClub.com/giving for more information.

 
About NACCE
The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), which celebrates its 10^thanniversary this year, is an organization of educators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished business development professionals providing quality programs and services in entrepreneurship education and serving as advocates community-based entrepreneurship. Founded in 2002, NACCE is at the heart of the "entrepreneurship movement.”

Through membership, an annual conference and exhibition, a quarterly journal, monthly webinars and podcasts, a dynamic list-serv, and other resources, NACCE serves as the hub for the dissemination and integration of knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. These programs and courses advance economic prosperity in the communities served by its member colleges. NACCE is a founding member of the White House-led Startup America Partnership.

For more information, visit http://www.nacce.com. Follow NACCE on Twitter at @NACCE and like the NACCE – National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship page on Facebook.

MEMBERS OF PRESIDENTS FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP FORUM PARTICIPATE IN WHITE HOUSE LED EVENT ON HIGHER EDUCATION, INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Presidents Make Sure Community Colleges Are Part of National Discussion on How to Colleges and Universities Can Foster Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Washington, D.C. – October 4, 2012 – Thirty community college presidents from across the nation gathered with other higher education leaders for a series of meetings convened in Washington, D.C., on Monday, October 1, by the U.S. Department of Commerce to discuss the role of higher education in promoting entrepreneurship and innovation. The day’s agenda, which was organized by the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Economic Development Administration, focused on bringing together leaders of higher education to provide information to Department of Commerce and White House officials about the work their institutions are doing in the entrepreneurship and innovation arena.

The community college presidents attending the meetings, which were held at the U.S. Department of Commerce and at the White House, are members of the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum, which was formed in late 2011 by the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE). NACCE is the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges. Through the Forum, presidents of over 180 community colleges throughout the country have committed to increase the focus on entrepreneurship at their institutions and the impact these colleges have on the economic well being of the communities they serve.

"The information shared in Monday’s meeting will be used to inform the Administration’s policy decisions and funding allocations around how the higher education community can encourage entrepreneurship and innovation,” said NACCE Executive Director Heather Van Sickle. "When many people think of entrepreneurship and innovation on college campuses, they think of the big research universities, but NACCE has over 300 member institutions across the country that have robust entrepreneurship programs. Being part of this national conversation about entrepreneurship is very important for our members and for the members of the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum, who have particularly shown their commitment to this important issue.”

"Entrepreneurship plays a vital role in economic development for the United States and through the efforts of NACCE to engage community colleges with our university partners at this forum, our ability to grow and develop successful entrepreneurs across our country will be greatly enhanced,” said NACCE Board Chair Dr. Ron Thomas, who is president of Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, MN.

"The meetings at the Commerce Department and the White House were excellent opportunities for community colleges to be well represented in the national conversation about entrepreneurship and with what is occurring across America to restart and rebuild our economy,” said Dr. Daniel Larson, president of Cayuga Community College in Auburn, NY. "We know that it is our local people who help to create new jobs through startups and expanding current businesses. The Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum members who were present networked with their college and university colleagues, and with government leaders, while hearing updates about programs and activities.Governmental resources are ready to assist people in our communities with their entrepreneurial activities. As presidents, we understand clearly the need to connect our colleges with those local efforts and with the resources of the government.”

During the morning meeting at the U.S. Department of Commerce, three Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum members spoke as part of panels that made presentations on the topics of Student and Faculty Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University Technology Transfer and Industry Collaboration, and Universities & Regional Economic Development. Speaking on these panels, respectively, were Dr. Karen Stout, president of Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, PA; Dr. Edwin Massey, president of Indian River State College in Ft. Pierce, FL; and Dr. Roy Church, president of Lorain County Community College in Elyria, OH.

Also speaking at the morning session were Steve Case, co-chair of the National Advisory Council on Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Acting Secretary of Commerce Dr. Rebecca Blank; and Karen Mills, administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The meeting was led by Nish Acharya, director of the Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

After the morning session the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum attended a luncheon sponsored by Sam’s Club, which has just announced that its commitment to provide financial support for NACCE and for members of the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum. Guest speaker, Brenda Dann Messier, assistant secretary for vocational and adult education in the U.S. Department of Education applauded the efforts of the presidents and shared her work. Also present at the luncheon were representatives other NACCE partners, including the Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF), the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) and Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW).

Following the luncheon, 10 Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum members were invited along with a group of university presidents to the White House, where further discussions about innovation and entrepreneurship in the higher education world occurred, Including participation by entrepreneurs who began their businesses while in college.

About NACCE
NACCE connects community college administrators and faculty with knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurial thinking, entrepreneurship education, and student business incubation. NACCE holds an annual conference and symposium, publishes a quarterly journal, hosts monthly webinars and podcasts and a dynamic list serv, develops Web resources such as shared entrepreneurship curricula and syllabi for faculty, and creates guides in beginning and sustaining entrepreneurship and student business incubation programs as well as tips for grant proposals specific to entrepreneurial endeavors at community colleges. For more information, visit http://www.nacce.com.

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RIO SALADO and SOUTH MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
PRESIDENTS JOIN ENTREPRENEURSHIP FORUM

National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship Promotes Entrepreneurship by Engaging Community Colleges to Join New Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum

TEMPE, AZ – October 2, 2012 -- The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges, has announced that Chris Bustamante, president of Rio Salado College and Shari Olson, president of South Mountain Community College have joined its new Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum. Through this program, 186 community colleges presidents nationwide have committed to increase the focus on entrepreneurship at their institutions and the impact these colleges have on the economic wellbeing of the communities they serve.

"Entrepreneurs are key to economic growth in our communities,” said Rio Salado College President Chris Bustamante, Ed. D. "Being a part of NACCE demonstrates Rio Salado’s commitment to providing needed support for those who are starting their own businesses.”

Rio Salado and South Mountain Community College are both part of the Maricopa Community College District located in the greater Phoenix area.

"South Mountain Community College has helped thousands of our students realize their dreams of going into business for themselves,” said South Mountain Community College President Shari Olson, Ph.D. "As an institution, we are firmly committed to this initiative.”

About the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum

The Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum is in response to the Obama Administration’s Startup America Call to Action to stimulate economic growth state by state by encouraging entrepreneurs to start their own businesses. NACCE is a founding affiliate of the Startup America Partnership, an alliance of the country’s most innovative entrepreneurs, corporations, universities, foundations, and other leaders.

According to NACCE Executive Director, Heather Van Sickle, the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum is a way for community colleges to advance entrepreneurship and create jobs across the country.

Community college presidents who join the Forum make five commitments:

• Develop transparency of community college and community assets

• Create internal and external teams dedicated to entrepreneurship

• Increase entrepreneurs’ engagement in community colleges

• Engage in industry cluster development

• Create broad exposure to their college’s commitment to entrepreneurship.

"The five commitments were developed based on NACCE’s observations of what was working best on member campuses,” said Van Sickle. "After observing the entrepreneurship-related activities of our members over a period of years, we started to see commonalities among the more successful institutions,” she said. "One of the major things that clearly makes a difference is the commitment by leadership to entrepreneurship.”

About NACCE

The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), which celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year, is an organization of educators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished business development professionals providing quality programs and services in entrepreneurship education and serving as advocates community-based entrepreneurship. Founded in 2002, NACCE is at the heart of the "entrepreneurship movement.”

Through membership, an annual conference and exhibition, a quarterly journal, monthly webinars and podcasts, a dynamic list-serve, and other resources, NACCE serves as the hub for the dissemination and integration of knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. These programs and courses advance economic prosperity in the communities served by its member colleges. NACCE is a founding member of the White House-led Startup America Partnership.

For more information, visit http://www.nacce.com. Follow NACCE on Twitter at @NACCE and like the NACCE – National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship page on Facebook.

About Rio Salado College

Rio Salado College was established in 1978 by the Maricopa Community College District to provide the next step in education for non-traditional students. The college, headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, was recently recognized as the fastest growing community college in the nation serving more than 67,000 students annually. In addition to providing high-quality instruction for 100+ degree and certificate pathways, Rio Salado is dedicated to providing flexible, affordable access through; adult basic education, collaborative partnerships, early college initiatives and online learning.

About South Mountain Community College

South Mountain Community College (SMCC) has served the higher education needs of Phoenix, Ahwatukee, Guadalupe and Laveen for more than 30 years, offering associate degrees, certificates of completion, courses that transfer to universities and technology training to more than 10,000 students annually. SMCC is one of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges.

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Seven Northeast Ohio Startups Win Innovation Fund Money, Commit to Giving Students Real World Entrepreneurial Experiences

Elyria, OH, September 10, 2012: The Innovation Fund, founded by the Lorain County Community College Foundation, is awarding $385,000 to seven technology startup companies in its latest funding round. The round included four awards at $25,000 and three awards at $95,000 and each recipient has committed to providing an entrepreneurial education experience to students at Lorain County Community College and Innovation Fund partner colleges and universities.

HolePatch ($25,000 | Cleveland)
HolePatch LLC is developing a cheaper, faster, and sustainable replacement to the cold patch method currently used by governments for patching potholes in the winter. HolePatch will use the Innovation Fund award to continue product development and validation.

Miach Medical Innovations ($25,000 | Shaker Heights)
Miach Medical is developing novel sensor-equipped endotracheal and feeding tubes that can rapidly and accurately identify anatomic location and signal unplanned movement, reducing the risks to patients who require breathing or feeding support. The company is using the funds to develop transmitter technology for wireless monitoring of the sensor signals.

On Demand Interpretation Services ($25,000 | Concord)
On Demand Interpretation Services provides courts access to certified interpreters through secure remote teleconferencing technology. The company plans on using the Innovation Fund award to continue its sales efforts.

WiTuners ($25,000 | Twinsburg)
WiTuners, Ltd is a software-as-a-service for Wi-Fi owners and installation firms to plan, maintain and audit large scale Wi-Fi networks to the maximum capacity. The company will use the Innovation Fund award to expand its sales funnel.

AMIDAC International ($95,000 | Elyria)
AMIDAC International, a manufacturer of exothermic welding products, has patented a cost-competitive line of products that increases safety and provides precise results over traditional welding products. The company will use the Innovation Fund award to set up manufacturing and tooling, purchase raw materials, and secure patents.

BoxCast ($95,000 | Cleveland)
BoxCast has created a complete, hand-held video streaming solution that allows any video camera to broadcast any event online. The company is using the Innovation Fund award to secure intellectual property and begin expansion into international markets.

eFuneral ($95,000 | Cleveland)
eFuneral allows families to find, compare, and select funeral homes in their local area, while acting as a customer acquisition tool for funeral homes. The company is using the Innovation Fund award to hire an additional software developer and launch its product into eight additional metropolitan markets.

The educational experiences these companies have committed to, which are a requirement of accepting the funding, range from paid internships to guest speaking in the classroom.

"The experiential education component has been engrained in the Innovation Fund’s operations since the very beginning,” said Dennis Cocco, co-director of GLIDE, which administers the fund. "The program gives students the opportunity to sit alongside an entrepreneur and learn the ins and outs of leading a startup, while showing the entrepreneur how valuable a student perspective can be.”

AMIDAC International, recipient of its second Innovation Fund award, has already hired an intern from Lorain County Community College. Cassandra Andrusyszyn was attending Lorain County Community College while working three jobs when she began her internship to fulfill a requirement of an entrepreneurship class.

"My internship was absolutely amazing and it truly changed my life,” Andrusyszyn said. "AMIDAC had me doing everything from marketing to business development with national and international customers.”

Andrusyszyn was hired full time last month to manage AMIDAC’s national and international business communications. AMIDAC will be employing another paid intern with this funding award and Ameer Alghusain, the company’s president, is excited about the possibilities of adding more local talent to his business.

"I located my company in Lorain County to develop the county and create jobs here,” Alghusain said. "I am excited to find more talented students to join us and possibly obtain a full-time job as we grow.”

Since its 2007 inception, the Innovation Fund has made 106 awards to 88 companies totaling $6.1 million. Along with providing more than 150 internships to college and university students, bridging the gap between classroom education and real startup experience, these companies have attracted more than $62 million in follow-on investments and created 314 jobs.

About the Innovation Fund

The Innovation Fund, founded by the Lorain County Community College Foundation, awards early-stage capital to technology-based companies in Northeast Ohio so they can validate their technologies and business concepts. The funding awards of up to $100,000 fill the capital needs of businesses that are at the earliest stage of development, before they can attract angel and venture capital funding.

Funds from the Ohio Third Frontier combined with matching support and contributions from the Innovation Fund partners are used to make the Innovation Fund awards. These partners include the University of Akron, the

University of Akron Research Foundation, Cleveland State University, the Great Lakes Innovation and Development Enterprise (GLIDE), the Lorain County Community College Foundation, Stark State College of Technology, Youngstown State University, the Youngstown Business Incubator, and Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED).

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$80,000 IN ELEVATOR GRANTS AVAILABLE FROM THE COLEMAN FOUNDATION AT 10^TH ANNUAL NACCE CONFERENCE IN OCTOBER

Entrepreneur Engagement Practices Will Be Focus of Grants

Springfield, MA – Sept. 6, 2012 – As part of the 10^th Annual National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship Conference, being held in Chicago, IL, October 7- 10, 2012, the Coleman Foundation will conduct an elevator grant session with the potential to award $80,000 to community colleges. This year’s program will focus on successful practices for creatively involving entrepreneurs in entrepreneurship and self-employment education. Entry deadline is 8:00 a.m. Central time on Thursday, September 27, 2012. As many as 16 $5,000 grants will be awarded.

This marks the ninth time the Coleman Foundation has offered elevator grants at the NACCE Conference; the foundation has provided $509,000 to community colleges through this program to date to support the initiation of various entrepreneurship education programs. The elevator grant method is based on the business presentation model that involves describing a new business venture in a short pitch that could be given to a potential investor during an elevator ride. Grant decisions are made at the NACCE Conference, resulting in a rapid funding approach that greatly benefits the grant recipients.

"NACCE’s partnership with the Coleman Foundation is a very important benefit to our members,” said Heather Van Sickle, executive director of NACCE. "Increasing entrepreneur engagement is one of the five commitments that members of our Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum, which we launched late last year, have pledged to fulfill. Both NACCE and the Coleman Foundation believe that successful practitioners, including local and alumni entrepreneurs, must be part of a student’s learning experience. Having exposure to people who have started businesses significantly strengthens the education experience.”

How to Apply
Interested applicants must be NACCE members and must submit a three-page description of their plans to increase the engagement of entrepreneurs in campus activities, including a plan budget, which will be evaluated in advance of the elevator grant session by the Foundation and NACCE. More details and registration forms are available on the NACCE Conference website at http://www.nacce2012.com/coleman-elevator-grants.

About The Coleman Foundation
The Coleman Foundation is a private, independent grantmaker focusing primarily on supporting Midwest non-profit organizations.Foundation resources support cancer care, treatment and research, developmental disability services, and entrepreneurship education. In 1981, the Foundation began to question why individuals are encouraged to "get a job” rather than to "create” one.Since that time, the Foundation has committed over $46 million to improve the quality of entrepreneurship education, promote the option of self-employment, and help create a new generation of business owners.For more information, visit http://www.colemanfoundation.org.

About NACCE
The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), which celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year, is an organization of educators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished business development professionals providing quality programs and services in entrepreneurship education and serving as advocates community-based entrepreneurship. Founded in 2002, NACCE is at the heart of the "entrepreneurship movement.”

Through membership, an annual conference and exhibition, a quarterly journal, monthly webinars and podcasts, a dynamic list-serv, and other resources, NACCE serves as the hub for the dissemination and integration of knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. These programs and courses advance economic prosperity in the communities served by its member colleges. NACCE is a founding member of the White House-led Startup America Partnership.

For more information on NACCE’s 10^th Annual Conference, visit http://www.nacce2012.com.

NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE PRESIDENT JOINS NATIONAL FORUM TO PROMOTE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship Promotes Entrepreneurship by Engaging Community Colleges to Join New Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum

TRAVERSE CITY, MI – August 26, 2012-- The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges, has announced that President Timothy Nelson of Northwestern Michigan College has joined its new Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum. Through the program, presidents of community colleges throughout the country commit to increase the focus on entrepreneurship at their institutions and the impact these colleges have on the economic well being of the communities they serve. Officials for five other Michigan community colleges have also joined the new forum.

With the economy still lagging in many regions of the United States, more than 180 community colleges throughout the country have joined the entrepreneurship forum, and by doing so, have committed to playing a greater role in stimulating economic development in the communities they serve.

"Northwestern Michigan College’s commitment to entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs is fundamental in our vision of the future,” President Nelson said. "Our ultimate purpose is to provide our learners and communities with skills, experiences and values that help them to create social and economic wealth. That is a foundation for entrepreneurial action.”

Other Michigan community college officials joining the forum are: President Rose Bellanca, Washtenaw Community College, Ann Harbor; Charles Dillon, West Shore Community College, Scottville; Dale Nesbary, Muskegon Community College, Muskegon; M. Richard Shaink, Mott Community College, Flint; and Gary Wheeler, Glen Oaks Community College, Centreville.

About the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum

The Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum is in response to the Obama Administration’s Startup America Call to Action to stimulate economic growth state by state by encouraging entrepreneurs to start their own businesses. NACCE is a founding affiliate of the Startup America Partnership, an alliance of the country’s most innovative entrepreneurs, corporations, universities, foundations, and other leaders.

According to NACCE Executive Director, Heather Van Sickle, the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum is a way for community colleges to advance entrepreneurship and create jobs across the country.

Community college presidents who join the Forum make five commitments:

• Develop transparency of community college and community assets

• Create internal and external teams dedicated to entrepreneurship

• Increase entrepreneurs’ engagement in community colleges

• Engage in industry cluster development

• Create broad exposure to their college’s commitment to entrepreneurship.

"The five commitments were developed based on NACCE’s observations of what was working best on member campuses,” said Van Sickle. "After observing the entrepreneurship-related activities of our members over a period of years, we started to see commonalities among the more successful institutions,” she said. "One of the major things that clearly makes a difference is the commitment by leadership to entrepreneurship.”

About NACCE

The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), which celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year, is an organization of educators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished business development professionals providing quality programs and services in entrepreneurship education and serving as advocates community-based entrepreneurship. Founded in 2002, NACCE is at the heart of the "entrepreneurship movement.”

Through membership, an annual conference and exhibition, a quarterly journal, monthly webinars and podcasts, a dynamic list-serv, and other resources, NACCE serves as the hub for the dissemination and integration of knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. These programs and courses advance economic prosperity in the communities served by its member colleges. NACCE is a founding member of the White House-led Startup America Partnership.

For more information, visit http://www.nacce.com. Follow NACCE on Twitter at @NACCE and like the NACCE – National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship page on Facebook.

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HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE NORTHWEST PRESIDENT DR. ZACHARY HODGES JOINS NATIONAL FORUM TO PROMOTE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship Promotes Entrepreneurship by Engaging Community Colleges to Join New Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum

HOUSTON, TX – August 27, 2012 -- The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges, has announced that President Dr. Zachary Hodges of Houston Community College Northwest has joined its new Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum. Through the program, presidents of community colleges throughout the country commit to increase the focus on entrepreneurship at their institutions and the impact these colleges have on the economic well being of the communities they serve. Officials for six other Texas community colleges have also joined the new forum.

With the economy still lagging in many regions of the United States, more than 180 community colleges throughout the country have joined the entrepreneurship forum, and by doing so, have committed to playing a greater role in stimulating economic development in the communities they serve.

"The 21st Century is all about creativity and entrepreneurship and the community college can create an environment where this change can happen. Students today are inventing their own careers and I believe we as higher educators must adapt accordingly. The movement is real!” said Dr. Hodges.

Other Texas community college presidents joining the forum are: Thom Chesney, Brookhaven College, Dallas; Beatriz Espinoza, Coastal Bend College, serving Alice, Beeville, Kingsville and Pleasanton; Michael Metke, Tyler Junior College, Tyler; Paul Szuch, Lamar Institute of Technology, Beaumont; Felix Zamora, Mountain View College, Dallas; and Jennifer Wimbish, Cedar Valley College, Lancaster.

About the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum

The Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum is in response to the Obama Administration’s Startup America Call to Action to stimulate economic growth state by state by encouraging entrepreneurs to start their own businesses. NACCE is a founding affiliate of the Startup America Partnership, an alliance of the country’s most innovative entrepreneurs, corporations, universities, foundations, and other leaders.

According to NACCE Executive Director, Heather Van Sickle, the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum is a way for community colleges to advance entrepreneurship and create jobs across the country.

Community college presidents who join the Forum make five commitments:

• Develop transparency of community college and community assets

• Create internal and external teams dedicated to entrepreneurship

• Increase entrepreneurs’ engagement in community colleges

• Engage in industry cluster development

• Create broad exposure to their college’s commitment to entrepreneurship.

"The five commitments were developed based on NACCE’s observations of what was working best on member campuses,” said Van Sickle. "After observing the entrepreneurship-related activities of our members over a period of years, we started to see commonalities among the more successful institutions,” she said. "One of the major things that clearly makes a difference is the commitment by leadership to entrepreneurship.”

About NACCE

The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), which celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year, is an organization of educators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished business development professionals providing quality programs and services in entrepreneurship education and serving as advocates community-based entrepreneurship. Founded in 2002, NACCE is at the heart of the "entrepreneurship movement.”

Through membership, an annual conference and exhibition, a quarterly journal, monthly webinars and podcasts, a dynamic list-serv, and other resources, NACCE serves as the hub for the dissemination and integration of knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. These programs and courses advance economic prosperity in the communities served by its member colleges. NACCE is a founding member of the White House-led Startup America Partnership.

For more information, visit http://www.nacce.com. Follow NACCE on Twitter at @NACCE and like the NACCE – National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship page on Facebook.

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BROOKHAVEN COLLEGE PRESIDENT JOINS NATIONAL FORUM TO PROMOTE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship Promotes Entrepreneurship by Engaging Community Colleges to Join New Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum

DALLAS, TX – AUGUST 27, 2012-- The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges, has announced that President Thom D. Chesney of Brookhaven College has joined its new Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum. Through the program, presidents of community colleges throughout the country commit to increase the focus on entrepreneurship at their institutions and the impact these colleges have on the economic well being of the communities they serve. Officials of six other Texas community colleges have also joined the new forum.

With the economy still lagging in many regions of the United States, more than 180 community colleges throughout the country have joined the entrepreneurship forum, and by doing so, have committed to playing a greater role in stimulating economic development in the communities they serve.

"Becoming an entrepreneurial college goes far beyond focusing more time and energy on fundraising and securing grants,” Chesney noted in a recent college forum. "It includes infusing the voices of our communities and employers in our strategic planning and visioning and vice versa. Together we can adapt to and address almost any challenge—from diminishing resources to rising costs—if we have the right people at the table at the right time.”

Other Texas community college presidents joining the forum are: Beatriz Espinoza, Coastal Bend College, serving Alice, Beeville, Kingsville, and Pleasanton; Zachary Hughes, Houston Community College–Northwest, Houston; Michael Metke, Tyler Jr. College, Tyler; Paul Szuch, Lamar Institute of Technology, Beaumont; Felix Zamora, Mountain View College, Dallas; and Jennifer Wimbish, Cedar Valley College, Lancaster.

About the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum

The Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum is in response to the Obama Administration’s Startup America Call to Action to stimulate economic growth state by state by encouraging entrepreneurs to start their own businesses. NACCE is a founding affiliate of the Startup America Partnership, an alliance of the country’s most innovative entrepreneurs, corporations, universities, foundations, and other leaders.

According to NACCE Executive Director, Heather Van Sickle, the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum is a way for community colleges to advance entrepreneurship and create jobs across the country.

Community college presidents who join the Forum make five commitments:

• Develop transparency of community college and community assets

• Create internal and external teams dedicated to entrepreneurship

• Increase entrepreneurs’ engagement in community colleges

• Engage in industry cluster development

• Create broad exposure to their college’s commitment to entrepreneurship.

"The five commitments were developed based on NACCE’s observations of what was working best on member campuses,” said Van Sickle. "After observing the entrepreneurship-related activities of our members over a period of years, we started to see commonalities among the more successful institutions,” she said. "One of the major things that clearly makes a difference is the commitment by leadership to entrepreneurship.”

About NACCE

The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), which celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year, is an organization of educators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished business development professionals providing quality programs and services in entrepreneurship education and serving as advocates community-based entrepreneurship. Founded in 2002, NACCE is at the heart of the "entrepreneurship movement.”

Through membership, an annual conference and exhibition, a quarterly journal, monthly webinars and podcasts, a dynamic list-serv, and other resources, NACCE serves as the hub for the dissemination and integration of knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. These programs and courses advance economic prosperity in the communities served by its member colleges. NACCE is a founding member of the White House-led Startup America Partnership.

For more information, visit http://www.nacce.com. Follow NACCE on Twitter at @NACCE and like the NACCE – National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship page on Facebook.

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GLEN OAKS COMMUNITY COLLEGE PRESIDENT JOINS NATIONAL FORUM TO PROMOTE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship Promotes Entrepreneurship by Engaging Community Colleges to Join New Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum

CENTREVILLE, MI – August 26, 2012-- The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges, has announced that President Gary Wheeler of Glen Oaks Community College has joined its new Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum. Through the program, presidents of community colleges throughout the country commit to increase the focus on entrepreneurship at their institutions and the impact these colleges have on the economic well being of the communities they serve. Officials for five other Michigan community colleges have also joined the new forum.

With the economy still lagging in many regions of the United States, more than 180 community colleges throughout the country have joined the entrepreneurship forum, and by doing so, have committed to playing a greater role in stimulating economic development in the communities they serve.

"The appropriate role of community colleges includes serving as a center for new ways of thinking, of economic development, and of community building,” President Wheeler said. "Glen Oaks believes that each of us is stronger when all of us are pulling in the same direction. This forum promises to help each of us understand how our efforts fit into a national strategy for entrepreneurship.”

Other Michigan community college officials joining the forum are: President Rose Bellanca, Washtenaw Community College, Ann Harbor; Charles Dillon, West Shore Community College, Scottville; Timothy Nelson, Northwestern Michigan Community College, Traverse City; Dale Nesbary, Muskegon Community College, Muskegon; and M. Richard Shaink, Mott Community College, Flint.

About the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum

The Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum is in response to the Obama Administration’s Startup America Call to Action to stimulate economic growth state by state by encouraging entrepreneurs to start their own businesses. NACCE is a founding affiliate of the Startup America Partnership, an alliance of the country’s most innovative entrepreneurs, corporations, universities, foundations, and other leaders.

According to NACCE Executive Director, Heather Van Sickle, the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum is a way for community colleges to advance entrepreneurship and create jobs across the country.

Community college presidents who join the Forum make five commitments:

• Develop transparency of community college and community assets

• Create internal and external teams dedicated to entrepreneurship

• Increase entrepreneurs’ engagement in community colleges

• Engage in industry cluster development

• Create broad exposure to their college’s commitment to entrepreneurship.

"The five commitments were developed based on NACCE’s observations of what was working best on member campuses,” said Van Sickle. "After observing the entrepreneurship-related activities of our members over a period of years, we started to see commonalities among the more successful institutions,” she said. "One of the major things that clearly makes a difference is the commitment by leadership to entrepreneurship.”

About NACCE

The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), which celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year, is an organization of educators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished business development professionals providing quality programs and services in entrepreneurship education and serving as advocates community-based entrepreneurship. Founded in 2002, NACCE is at the heart of the "entrepreneurship movement.”

Through membership, an annual conference and exhibition, a quarterly journal, monthly webinars and podcasts, a dynamic list-serv, and other resources, NACCE serves as the hub for the dissemination and integration of knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. These programs and courses advance economic prosperity in the communities served by its member colleges. NACCE is a founding member of the White House-led Startup America Partnership.

For more information, visit http://www.nacce.com. Follow NACCE on Twitter at @NACCE and like the NACCE – National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship page on Facebook.

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MUSCATINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE JOINS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP (NACCE)

NACCE Leads Entrepreneurship Through Community College Programs

MUSCATINE, IOWA – AUGUST 10, 2012 – Muscatine Community College (MCC), in Muscatine, Iowa, has joined the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges. Now in its 10^th year, NACCE is a major force in entrepreneurship education, spearheading a national movement among community colleges to develop a new breed of educators and administrators dedicated to helping underserved entrepreneurs start, run and grow thriving companies.

"We are pleased to welcome MCC to NACCE,” said Heather Van Sickle, NACCE executive director. "NACCE thrives because of the willingness of its members to share information about how to build strong entrepreneurship programs. We know MCC will benefit from being part of our community as will the entrepreneurs and small business owners it serves in Muscatine and the surrounding area.”

"Joining NACCE fits perfectly with the many exciting things happening in the entrepreneurship arena here at MCC,” said Bob Allbee, president of Muscatine Community College. "NACCE provides great resources to grow our program, our students and our community.”

NACCE includes nearly 300 colleges in the U.S. and abroad, representing over 1,400 entrepreneurship education professionals. Through these educators, approximately 465,000 students are exposed to the possibility of putting their newly acquired skills and knowledge to work in their own business, if not immediately then at some point in the future. In addition, countless small business owners and entrepreneurs benefit from education, mentoring, and other important services provided by NACCE members.

About NACCE

NACCE connects community college administrators and faculty with knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurial thinking, entrepreneurship education, and student business incubation. NACCE holds an annual conference and symposium, publishes a quarterly journal, hosts monthly webinars and podcasts and a dynamic list serv, develops Web resources such as shared entrepreneurship curricula and syllabi for faculty, and creates guides in beginning and sustaining entrepreneurship and student business incubation programs as well as tips for grant proposals specific to entrepreneurial endeavors at community colleges.

For more information, visit http://www.nacce.com.

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NACCE ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL KEYNOTE SPEAKERS FOR
ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO OCTOBER 7-10

$100 Early Bird Discount Available for Registering Before Sept. 14

SPRINGFIELD, MA – August 9, 2012 -- The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) has added additional keynote speakers to its annual conference October 7-10. The three-day conference, which marks NACCE’s 10th year as a major force in entrepreneurship education, is expected to draw 500 community college administrators and faculty to Chicago’s Hyatt Regency O’Hare. An early-bird discount of $100 is available for all who register before September 14.

According to NACCE Executive Director Heather Van Sickle, there will be over 50 learning sessions and workshops that will highlight the pivotal work being done at community colleges across the country to support the entrepreneurial aspirations of the people they serve.

The three speakers just added to the stellar lineup of keynoters who underline this year’s conference theme, "Committed to Entrepreneurship” are:

• John Harthorne, founder and CEO of MassChallenge. The world’s latest startup accelerator and competition, MassChallenge provides $1 million in funding annually to high-impact start-ups from around the world, along with providing the resources they need to launch and succeed.

• Doris Christopher, founder and chairman emeritus of The Pampered Chef, a business she started in the basement of her home with a $3,000 loan. Today, The Pampered Chef is part of Berkshire Hathaway with more than 60,000 consultants worldwide.

• Thom Ruhe, vice president of Entrepreneurship at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which is a long-time supporter of NACCE. Ruhe manages the Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Education programs.

Previously announced keynoters are:

• Johnny Earle, founder of Johnny Cupcakes, who turned a simple idea into a multimillion-dollar business using nontraditional business strategies and innovative marketing techniques.

• Steve Mariotti, founder of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), and an expert in education for at-risk youth, who has reached more than 450,000 young people through his programs in the U.S. and abroad.

• Ray Charles Robinson Jr., author, entrepreneur and founder of the Ray Charles Jr. Foundation for America, a non-profit corporation dedicated to helping vulnerable children and families.

Also featured during the three-day conference:

Student Entrepreneur Business Showcase
The showcase offers cash prizes to three students who capture the most "investment” money during a presentation of their innovative business idea or small business. Presentations will be October 8 during the conference, with winners announced later that day. Nominations are due September 18.

Student Essay Contest
NACCE is sponsoring an essay contest for entrants to express how entrepreneurship education at community colleges benefits students. The winner will win a travel stipend and free admission to the conference to read his/her essay to conference attendees. Deadline for entries is September 18.

Pre-conference symposium

• "Creating Community Partnerships in Support of Entrepreneurship”
  Sunday October 7 10:00 a.m.-4:00 pm.

Preconference "How to do it” Workshops

• "Marketing Blender: Online and Offline Strategies”
  Sunday, October 7, 7 a.m.-12 p.m.
  
  
• "An Entrepreneurial Approach to Funding Entrepreneurship”
  Sunday, October 7, 1-4 p.m.

Conference Fees

Conference fees are $695 for NACCE members, $795 for non-members. An early bird discount of $100 is available for those registering before September 14. Full conference registration includes admission to all general and breakout sessions, networking groups, and three breakfasts and two lunches. Symposium charges are $149 for members, $169 for non-members. Workshops are $79 for members, $99 for nonmembers. Discounts are available for groups of five or more. For more information, visit the conference web site at http://www.nacce2012.com.

About NACCE
The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), which celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year, is an organization of educators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished business development professionals providing quality programs and services in entrepreneurship education and serving as advocates community-based entrepreneurship. Founded in 2002, NACCE is at the heart of the "entrepreneurship movement.”

Through membership, an annual conference and exhibition, a quarterly journal, monthly webinars and podcasts, a dynamic list-serv, and other resources, NACCE serves as the hub for the dissemination and integration of knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. These programs and courses advance economic prosperity in the communities served by its member colleges. NACCE is a founding member of the White House-led Startup America Partnership.

For more information, visit http://www.nacce.com. Follow NACCE on Twitter at @NACCE and like the NACCE – National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship page on Facebook.
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MISSION COLLEGE PRESIDENT JOINS NATIONAL FORUM TO PROMOTE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship Promotes Entrepreneurship by Engaging Community Colleges to Join New Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum

SANTA CLARA – July 26, 2012 -- The National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges, has announced that President Laurel Jones of Mission College has joined its new Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum. Through the program, presidents of community colleges throughout the country commit to increase the focus on entrepreneurship at their institutions and the impact these colleges have on the economic well being of the communities they serve. Officials from 12 other California community colleges have also joined the new forum.

With the economy still lagging in many regions of the United States, more than 175 community colleges have joined the entrepreneurship forum, and by doing so, have committed to playing a greater role in stimulating economic development in the communities they serve.

"It is a great honor to be a member of this very innovative and motivated association. President Obama's awareness that community colleges are a natural springboard for entrepreneurship, and the location of Mission College in the heart of Silicon Valley, where so many startups took hold and grew, makes this an exciting prospect for me. I look forward to partnering with my fellow community college presidents to inspire and foster great new ideas and businesses," said Dr. Laurel Jones.

Other California community college presidents joining the forum are: Michael Claire, College of San Mateo, San Mateo; Ronald Taylor, Feather River College, Quincy; Jack Daniels, Los Angeles Southwest College, Los Angeles; Celia Barberena, Chabot College, Hayward; Willard Clark Lewallen, Hartnell College, Salinas; Jowel Laguerre, Solano Community College, Fairfield, Vacaville and Vallejo; Eloy Oakley, Long Beach City College, Long Beach; Glenn Roquemore, Irvine Valley College, Irvine; Jamillah Moore, Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles; Andrew Jones, Coast Community College District, Fountain Valley; Brad Davis, West Valley College, Saratoga; and Jose Ortiz, Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria.

About the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum
The Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum is in response to the Obama Administration’s Startup America call to action to stimulate economic growth state by state by encouraging entrepreneurs to start their own businesses. NACCE is a founding affiliate of the Startup America Partnership, an alliance of the country’s most innovative entrepreneurs, corporations, universities, foundations, and other leaders.
According to NACCE Executive Director Heather Van Sickle, the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum is a way for community colleges to advance entrepreneurship and create jobs across the country.

Community college presidents who join the Forum make five commitments:

• Develop transparency of community college and community assets

• Create internal and external teams dedicated to entrepreneurship

• Increase entrepreneurs’ engagement in community colleges

• Engage in industry cluster development

• Create broad exposure to their college’s commitment to entrepreneurship.

"The five commitments were developed based on NACCE’s observations of what was working best on member campuses,” said Van Sickle. "After observing the entrepreneurship-related activities of our members over a period of years, we started to see commonalities among the more successful institutions,” she said. "One of the major things that clearly makes a difference is the commitment by leadership to entrepreneurship.”"

About NACCE
The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) is an organization of educators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished business development professionals providing quality programs and services in entrepreneurship education and serving as advocates for "entrepreneurship movement.”

Through membership, an annual conference and exhibition, a quarterly journal, monthly webinars and podcasts, a dynamic list-serv, and other resources, NACCE serves as the hub for the dissemination and integration of knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. These programs and courses advance economic prosperity in the communities served by its member colleges.

For more information about the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum, or to join NACCE, visit http://www.nacce.com. Follow NACCE on Twitter at @NACCE and like the NACCE – National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship page on Facebook.

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LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE PRESIDENT ELOY ORTIZ OAKLEY JOINS NATIONAL FORUM TO PROMOTE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship Promotes Entrepreneurship by Engaging Community Colleges to Join New Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum

LONG BEACH – July 26, 2012 -- The National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges, has announced that President Eloy Oakley of Long Beach City College has joined its new Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum. Through the program, presidents of community colleges throughout the country commit to increase the focus on entrepreneurship at their institutions and the impact these colleges have on the economic well being of the communities they serve. Officials from 12 other California community colleges have also joined the new forum.

With the economy still lagging in many regions of the United States, more than 175 community colleges have joined the entrepreneurship forum, and by doing so, have committed to playing a greater role in stimulating economic development in the communities they serve.

"Entrepreneurship is the key to sustaining a vibrant economy and for creating new opportunities to apply the creativity of our students. Community colleges are an excellent place to foster entrepreneurship and Long Beach City College is excited to be a part of this important movement,” said Long Beach City College President Eloy Ortiz Oakley.

Other California community college presidents joining the forum are: Michael Claire, College of San Mateo, San Mateo; Ronald Taylor, Feather River College, Quincy; Jack Daniels, Los Angeles Southwest College, Los Angeles; Celia Barberena, Chabot College, Hayward; Willard Clark Lewallen, Hartnell College, Salinas; Jowel Laguerre, Solano Community College, Fairfield, Vacaville and Vallejo; Glenn Roquemore, Irvine Valley College, Irvine; Jamillah Moore, Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles; Laurel Jones, Mission College, Santa Clara; Andrew Jones, Coast Community College District, Fountain Valley; Brad Davis, West Valley College, Saratoga; and Jose Ortiz, Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria.

About the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum

The Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum is in response to the Obama Administration’s Startup America call to action to stimulate economic growth state by state by encouraging entrepreneurs to start their own businesses. NACCE is a founding affiliate of the Startup America Partnership, an alliance of the country’s most innovative entrepreneurs, corporations, universities, foundations, and other leaders.

According to NACCE Executive Director Heather Van Sickle, the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum is a way for community colleges to advance entrepreneurship and create jobs across the country.

Community college presidents who join the Forum make five commitments:

• Develop transparency of community college and community assets

• Create internal and external teams dedicated to entrepreneurship

• Increase entrepreneurs’ engagement in community colleges

• Engage in industry cluster development

• Create broad exposure to their college’s commitment to entrepreneurship.

"The five commitments were developed based on NACCE’s observations of what was working best on member campuses,” said Van Sickle. "After observing the entrepreneurship-related activities of our members over a period of years, we started to see commonalities among the more successful institutions,” she said. "One of the major things that clearly makes a difference is the commitment by leadership to entrepreneurship.”

About NACCE

The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) is an organization of educators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished business development professionals providing quality programs and services in entrepreneurship education and serving as advocates for "entrepreneurship movement.”

Through membership, an annual conference and exhibition, a quarterly journal, monthly webinars and podcasts, a dynamic list-serv, and other resources, NACCE serves as the hub for the dissemination and integration of knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. These programs and courses advance economic prosperity in the communities served by its member colleges.

For more information about the Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum, or to join NACCE, visit http://www.nacce.com. Follow NACCE on Twitter at @NACCE and like the NACCE – National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship page on Facebook.

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REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 10^th ANNUAL NACCE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONFERENCE

NACCE Hosts Annual National Conference in Chicago; Celebrates 10^th Year

SPRINGFIELD, MA – July 17, 2012 -- The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship will host its 10^th annual national conference October 7-10 in Chicago. This year’s conference theme, "Committed to Entrepreneurship,” underscores NACCE’s 10^th year as a major force in entrepreneurship education, and its role in spearheading a national movement among community colleges to develop a new breed of educators and administrators dedicated to helping underserved entrepreneurs start, run and grow thriving companies. The three-day conference, which is expected to draw some 500 community college administrators and faculty, will take place at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, one of the country’s top conference and event venues.

"The NACCE Conference brings together community college administrators and faculty, foundations and entrepreneurs who are committed to building the resources needed to nurture entrepreneurs and the small business owners,” says NACCE Executive Director Heather Van Sickle. "Our conference will have over 50 learning sessions and workshops that will highlight the amazing work being done at community college across the country to support the entrepreneurial aspirations of the people they serve.”

Highlights of the conference, which is expected to be NACCE’s largest ever, include:

NACCE Award Nominations
Each year NACCE recognizes a group of leaders who have impacted the growth of entrepreneurship. This year, NACCE will continue this tradition by announcing the following: Alumni Entrepreneur Award, Entrepreneurial President Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Impact Awards. Community College Week sponsors this award program. The deadline for nominations is August 3.

Student Entrepreneur Business Showcase
The showcase offers cash prizes to three students who capture the most "investment” money during a presentation of their innovative business idea or small business. Presentations will be October 8 during the conference, with winners announced later in the day. Students must complete an application and obtain a faculty recommendation to enter. The deadline for nominations is September 18.

Student Essay Contest
NACCE is sponsoring an essay contest for entrants to express how entrepreneurship education at community colleges benefits students. The winner will win a travel stipend and free admission to the conference to read his/her essay to conference attendees. Deadline for entries is September 18.

Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum Presentation

Four community college presidents who have joined NACCE’s new Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum, will discuss the impact the Forum is having on their efforts to advance entrepreneurship in their communities. Speaking will be Zachary Hodges, Houston Community College, Houston, TX; Edwin Massey, Indian River Community College, Fort Pierce, FL; Susan May, Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, WI; and Ron Thomas, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, MN.

Keynote speakers

• Johnny Earle, founder of Johnny Cupcakes, turned a simple idea, joke and hobby into a multimillion-dollar business using nontraditional business strategies and innovative marketing techniques. Starting his business at the age of 19, he has created an international business that currently has stores in Los Angeles, London, and Boston.

• John Harthorne is founder and CEO of MassChallenge, the world’s largest accelerator program and startup competition. Launched in 2011, MassChallenge awards $1 million in cash prizes each year and provides world-class mentorship and training, free office space, access to funding and media to high-impact, early stage entrepreneurs. President Obama honored MassChallenge in 2011 as one of the nation’s best organizations for supporting high-growth entrepreneurs. Harthorne is the winner of the 2007 MIT $100K Business Plan Competition; upon trying to launch his proposed company he saw first hand the difficulty of start-ups have finding early funding and from that experience developed the idea of MassChallenge.

• Steve Mariotti, founder of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), is an expert in education for at-risk youth. For more than 20 years, he has helped young people from low-income communities develop marketable skills by learning about entrepreneurship, reaching more than 450,000 young people through his programs in 21 states in the United States and in 10 foreign countries. NFTE currently has more than 1,500 Certified Entrepreneurship Teachers.

• Ray Charles Robinson, Jr., is an author, entrepreneur and financial service associate with Prudential Insurance Company of America. He is the founder of the Ray Charles Jr. Foundation for America, a non-profit corporation dedicated to helping vulnerable children and families. He is the 2011 NACCP Image Award winning author of You Don’t Know Me: Reflections of My Father Ray Charles, and co-producer of the Academy Award nominated film, "Ray.”

• Thom Ruhe is vice president of Entrepreneurship at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which is a long-time support of NACCE. Ruhe manages the Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Education programs and oversees collaborative projects between the Foundation and innovative organizations such as Invent Now, the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Collegiate Inventors, and the Entrepreneurial Learning Foundation. He is a serial entrepreneur and an expert in economic development and marketing, public relations and messaging.

Pre-conference symposium

• "Creating Community Partnerships in Support of Entrepreneurship,” Sunday October 7 10:00 a.m.-4:00 pm.

Preconference "How to do it” Workshops

• "Marketing Blender: Online and Offline Strategies”
  Sunday, October 7, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
  
  
• "An Entrepreneurial Approach to Funding Entrepreneurship”
  Sunday, October 7, 1-4 p.m.

Conference Fees
Conference fees are $695 for NACCE members, $795 for non-members. An Early Bird Discount of $100 is available to those who register before by September 14. Full conference registration includes admission to all general and breakout sessions, networking groups, and three breakfasts and two lunches. Symposium charges are $149 for members, $169 for non-members. Workshops are $79 for members, $99 for nonmembers. Reservations are required by September 14. Discounts are available for groups of five or more. For more information, visit the NACCE Conference website: http://www.nacce2012.com.


About NACCE
The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), which celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year, is an organization of educators, entrepreneurs, and distinguished business development professionals providing quality programs and services in entrepreneurship education and serving as advocates community-based entrepreneurship. Founded in 2002, NACCE is at the heart of the "entrepreneurship movement.” Through membership, an annual conference and exhibition, a quarterly journal, monthly webinars and podcasts, a dynamic list-serv, and other resources, NACCE serves as the hub for the dissemination and integration of knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. These programs and courses advance economic prosperity in the communities served by its member colleges. NACCE is a founding member of the White House-led Startup America Partnership. For more information, visit http://www.nacce.com. Follow NACCE on Twitter at @NACCE and like the NACCE – National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship page on Facebook.

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