About JCEL
Juniata College has long been known for emphasizing learning through experience, a concept we have reduced to a shorthand slogan -- think, evolve, act. In creating the Juniata College Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (JCEL), the College has appropriated that concept in forming this center dedicated to hands-on learning and business creation.
Think
During the late 1990s, Juniata administration and faculty saw an opportunity in a changing business marketplace. The emerging internet and technology revolution seemed a natural pathway for allowing undergraduate students to create their own sustainable businesses. Juniata alumni reinforced this notion by talking of their business start-up attempts during their college years, and current students revealed their interest in entrepreneurial opportunities as well.
Evolve
When the Uncommon Outcomes Campaign was launched in 2000, part of the overall effort was directed to the Campaign for Entrepreneurial Leadership, a fund-raising goal which received wide-ranging support from alumni and friends of Juniata College. The initial ideas of entrepreneurial support for students evolved to include hands-on learning experiences such as a business incubator and a student seed capital fund.
Act
The Juniata College Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (JCEL) made its debut in January of 2003. True to the spirit of many a start-up, the center was located in temporary offices, with anticipation of moving to a renovated facility later in the year. Supported by the financial backing of half a dozen Juniata alumni, an initial team of three administrators and entrepreneurially-minded students, this new program on the campus of Juniata College began to take shape. Developmental milestones in this progression are highlighted below:
January 2003
JCEL begins operations by beginning to develop its three initial programs – the Sill Business Incubator, a Student Seed Capital Fund and Academic Services. Start-up funding was supported by a 'Stay Invent the Future Operating Grant' from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) through the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAP&DC).
January 2003
Huntingdon County Business and Industry, Inc. (HCBI), the local economic development agency, contracts with JCEL to provide management services for HCB&I – this becomes the fourth JCEL program, Economic Development.
April 2003
The Juniata College Board of Trustees adopts the JCEL Bylaws and the JCEL Board meets for the first time.
July 2003
Ben Franklin Technology PArtners awards the first of three grants to Juniata College to provide operational support for JCEL.
August 2003
The Huntingdon County Commissioners contract with JCEL to administer the county's newly designated Enterprise Zone, a program of Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
October 2004
In recognition of a generous financial contribution by two dedicated alumni, the business incubator is officially named the Bob and Eileen Sill Business Incubator. The Bob and Eileen Sill Business Incubator is officially dedicated at Trustees Weekend, with over 150 guests celebrating the addition of a collaborative and innovative facility to the Juniata campus.
November 2004
Amy's Creative Touch, LLC, owned by Amy Albrecht '07, is the first company in which seed capital is invested.
May 2004
The college/community partnership between Juniata and Huntingdon County Business and Industry is recognized as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania designates the 15th Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ). The Juniata College/Huntingdon County KIZ will focus on supporting the creation and growth of Life Sciences and Information Technology ventures.
June 2005
Juniata is selected by the Coleman Foundation as one of 12 schools nationwide to receive grant funding for entrepreneurial curriculum development across the academic disciplines.
April 2006
JCEL launches two new student entrepreneur funding vehicles - the JCEL Starter Kit and the JCEL Next Step.
October 2006
The JCEL Video Library premieres at a KIZ Networking event at the Sill Business Incubator.
October 2007
JCEL receives $952,000 in funding to expand the Sill Business Incubator.
December 2007
JCEL and the center's former AVP Dr. Michael Lehman mark a 5 year anniversary.
April 2008
JCEL hires Nick Felice as Executive Director of JCEL.
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