KFIEE Information for Students
Overview and Expectations
LaunchPad Symposium
A three-day event all accepted sophomores attend in January prior to the start of the semester. Students will walk away with an understanding for how to lead a well-ordered life as a character-driven entrepreneur, the foundations for creating a business plan, as well as professional skills to set them up for success.
Coursework
Courses to be completed by the end of a student’s junior year:
- Principles of Accounting 1 (3 credits)
- Principles of Marketing (3 credits)
Seminars & Workshops
During seminars—open only to KFIEE Fellows—experienced entrepreneurs will present on a particular point of expertise, such as digital marketing, small business law, or management strategy. Workshops will focus on teaching business fundamentals to help KFIEE Fellows further develop their businesses.
Executive Speaker Series
Executive Speaker Series events provide KFIEE fellows the opportunity to hear from successful serial entrepreneurs.
Ideation Hours
KFIEE Fellows meet for executive guidance every other week to solve problems and brainstorm new business strategies.
The Experts’ Nexus
Every semester, students are expected to speak with ten industry professionals related to their field of interest who are a part of a network of mentors.
Apprenticeship
KFIEE provides funding for fellows to pursue a brief apprenticeship with an experienced entrepreneur in their industry to better understand the entrepreneurial lifestyle.
Application Process
Students can apply to the program during fall semester of their sophomore year. Up to 9 students will be accepted each year. Students are encouraged to meet with Career Services staff to review their application and prepare for the interview.
Interested Freshmen are invited to attend our Freshmen Ideation Hours to discuss business ideas, learn more about the KFIEE program, and determine if being an entrepreneur is right for them. Contact Kayla Wright in Career Services for more information about current Freshman Ideation Hours: [email protected].
To apply, students must submit:
- A current resume
- An unofficial transcript
- A two-page essay proposing a business idea and describing why you would be a good fit for the Kehoe Family Initiative for Entrepreneurial Excellence
- A three-to-four page writing sample from a previous Hillsdale class
- One letter of recommendation from a Hillsdale College staff or faculty member.
Acceptance into the program will be evaluated based on four criteria:
- Willingness to embrace the time and energy required to become a successful entrepreneur
- Dedication to the Hillsdale mission
- Ability to navigate problems and persevere through setbacks
- Desire to excel in personal growth and leadership
Qualified candidates will be selected for interviews. Students should be prepared to pitch their business idea and discuss various parts of their application.