The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) Center for Entrepreneurship in the College of Business and Management was first launched in 1983.  The center received support in 2005 as part of the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network.

Since 2011, the Center for Entrepreneurship has expanded its scope to include Family Business Development in addition to supporting the entrepreneurship curriculum at UIS.

The mission of the center for entrepreneurship is:

  1. To expand the outreach activities with the regional business community and enhance student-business engagement.
  2. To encourage entrepreneurial actions among the student community as well as develop and support entrepreneurial pursuits in the central Illinois region.
  3. To further the understanding, growth and development of family-owned businesses in central Illinois.
  4. To familiarize students with the distinct opportunities and challenges presented in family businesses.

Key Personnel:

Bruce Sommer is currently a visiting instructor in the Department of Management and an Executive-in-Residence at the Center for Entrepreneurship.

Ranjan Karri is an Associate Professor of Management and his teaching and research interests are in the areas of Entrepreneurship, Family Business, Strategic Management and Business Ethics.