CVTC Focuses Efforts on Entrepreneurship

Eau Claire, WI – Austin Johnson is taking a different approach than most Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) students. He’s well aware of CVTC’s excellent placement record that shows 94 percent of 2014-15 graduates employed. But he’s not focused on getting hired.

“I eventually want to own my own brick-and-mortar business, but real estate is what I’m looking to use to get into the business world,” said Johnson, 20, a 2014 Eau Claire North High School graduate.

Johnson is a young man with an entrepreneurial spirit, and he’s preparing for that direction in life currently with a class in Innovative Business Mindset at CVTC. In January, he will be one of the first enrollees in a new Entrepreneurship program at CVTC. The program is designed to help students gain the knowledge and skills they need to start and succeed in their own businesses.

The start of that program, approved by the Wisconsin State Technical College System board in July, is the centerpiece of a larger effort by CVTC to become more entrepreneurial in its focus throughout its program areas. On Tuesday, Oct. 25, CVTC President Bruce Barker signed the National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship pledge committing CVTC to advance entrepreneurship in the community and an entrepreneurship culture on campus.

“Supporting the workforce needs of the region is a major part of CVTC’s mission,” Barker said. “That traditionally means preparing students to be hired for the jobs available today, and we will not lessen our efforts in that regard. But the area also has a need for entrepreneurs to start new businesses to help grow the economy. We are increasing our efforts to help people who want to take that step.”

Heading the Entrepreneurship program is instructor Ben Zugay, a seasoned entrepreneur who started his first business at age 14, who has had at least two successful start-ups among several business launches.

Zugay, who holds an MBA from Carroll University, says entrepreneurship involves skills beyond business management. “We will focus on starting the business,” Zugay said. “Business Management focuses on operating a business.”

Coursework includes developing and evaluating business ideas, preparing a business plan, managing finances, analyzing legal issues, evaluating marketing strategies, and developing communication skills. The program will include a strong mentoring component with local experienced and knowledgeable entrepreneurs.

We’re going to take a close look at who the students are,” Zugay said. “Do they have the characteristics of an entrepreneur? We will also be taking a look at the students’ ideas to see if they are good ideas.”

Johnson, for example, has short-term plans to flip houses. “I already flip electronics,” he said. “I’m working on a down payment on a house so I can get started.”

Eventually, he wants that brick-and-mortar business. “I want to be my own boss. It’s the inner workings of a business I like, rather than a particular type of business.

Many CVTC graduates become entrepreneurs, but most of the time it involves students in programs like Cosmetology, Automotive Technician, Welding Machine Tool, and many others opening their own businesses after working for others. That makes entrepreneurship the business of instructors in every program.

As part of the overall efforts, CVTC is building a directory of alumni who are entrepreneurs and small business owners to serve as mentors and advisors in Entrepreneurship and other programs. And a new Entrepreneurship Learning Team will form recommendations for curricular and co-curricular activities to encourage and support entrepreneurship among students and create an entrepreneurship culture at CVTC.

Entrepreneurship program faculty will partner with CVTC’s Business & Industry Services team to provide continuing education and support as CVTC graduates embark on starting their own businesses. Next spring, CVTC students will be competing for a scholarship for the Entrepreneurship program by making presentations to a panel of CVTC faculty and local business leaders.

“Another major part of the CVTC mission is to improve the lives of students,” Barker said. “I can’t think of a better way to do that than in helping them realize their dreams.”

Chippewa Valley Technical College delivers superior, progressive technical education which improves the lives of students, meets the workforce needs of the region, and strengthens the larger community. Campuses are located in Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Menomonie, Neillsville and River Falls. CVTC serves an 11-county area in west central Wisconsin. CVTC is part of the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) and is one of 16 WTCS colleges located throughout the state.