THE COMMUNITY College Entrepreneurial Pathway program partners local community colleges with the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at California State University, Fresno. The program builds compatible curriculum, classroom content and community support at surrounding community colleges so that students can transition seamlessly to Fresno State.

The program is funded through the Coleman Foundation allowing a “Coleman Scholar” to be identified at each community college in order to teach entrepreneurship courses and implement a Collegiate Entrepreneur Organization (CEO) on their respective campuses.

Through the Lyles Center, students have access to abundant resources, educational and scholarship opportunities.

Helping Institutions Improve Entrepreneurship Education

Participating institutions work to establish viable programs by working under a 3-year grant. The scholars attend workshops and trainings to ensure success on their campuses. The program brings consistency and unity to the delivery of entrepreneurial education at community colleges and Fresno State by providing the training and support necessary to create collaboration between faculties and students at the institutions.

The program allows students to participate in elite national conferences, student entrepreneur organizations and competitions. Students are also exposed to numerous opportunities to participate in community outreach, workshops, seminars and networking events.

Through the Lyles Center, students have access to abundant resources, educational and scholarship opportunities.

The overall objective of the initiative is to produce a higher yield of sustainable business startups in the Central Valley by building support and providing education for entrepreneurs.