Entrepreneurs design, launch and run a new business from the ground up. Students of the Entrepreneurship minor learn to develop, organize and manage a business venture, develop business instincts, identify goals and learn strategies for opening a successful business.

They will learn the skills they need to succeed in this rapidly changing world: thinking critically, solving problems in creative new ways, communicating clearly and persuasively, and developing sets of values to guide their decisions. Students also are introduced to the opportunities, risks and rewards found in the ownership of a small business.

Latest News

Confidence, skills gained at Ripon lead to entrepreneurial endeavors

A Ripon College education “unlocked his potential,” according to Fred Kiekhaefer ’69 of Castle Rock, Colorado. At Ripon, Kiekhaefer discovered his affinity for physics and […]

Photo of Harwood Memorial Union with clouds and sun

Ripon No. 1 in state for how much graduates earn, according to U.S. Department of Education

Ripon College has been named the No. 1 school in Wisconsin whose grads earn the most in mean wages 10 years after graduation. The study, […]

The Pitch

Ripon College students compete in regional business pitch competition

Two Ripon College teams comprising four students each competed Wednesday, April 11, at The Pitch, a regional competition among students from Lawrence University, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Green […]

Faculty

Tom Keuler

Keuler, Thomas

Instructor of Business Management, CPA

Advising

Ripon College faculty and professional staff are dedicated to helping you reach your goals, whatever they may be and however often they may change along the way. It’s part of our value statement to you.

As a student at Ripon, you will be assigned a faculty adviser based on your area(s) of interest. You will meet with your faculty adviser throughout your time as a student to discuss your current aspirations, plan your course schedule and plot a future trajectory. We also work collaboratively with Ripon College Career and Professional Development to help match your interests and skills to concrete goals and construct a plan for professional success offering personalized career counseling, off-campus learning opportunities and an online job board with potential to connect with local, national and international employers. Our collaboration with Student Support Services provides tutoring and additional academic and skill development, as well as tools to help with note-taking, exam preparation, goal-setting and time management. Likewise, Mentors in the Franzen Center provide in-depth, one-on-one or group mentoring for students about class projects and college-level writing, and can share problem-solving strategies to overcome academic obstacles.

Advising at Ripon

Requirements

(20 credits) ECO 211 and 212, BSA 413, and eight credits from any of the following: PHL 202; PSC 110; CMM 215; BSA 110, 208, 227, 309 or 315. Up to four credits of internship earned during the ACM Business and Society Program could also be used for this minor.

Career Tracks

As an entrepreneur, you will be the one who takes the initiative and risk to organize a business or enterprise. Job titles of recent graduates from the business program include financial associate, business analyst, executive team leader, marketing manager, investment banking financial analyst, lawyer, financial representative, team coordinator for Defense Department, associate financial representative, account manager, investment management, special agent criminal investigator, operations financial analyst, research coordinator, tax associate, business banker, real estate agent, recruiter and consulting analyst.

Unique Opportunities

  • Ripon College has a tradition of student-community partnerships, and there are opportunities for real-world learning as part of team-based and live consulting projects with local businesses.
  • Students who are interested in entrepreneurship have the opportunity to test their ideas and vie for funding before venture capitalists in the Fox Valley each spring at The Pitch competition.