School of Business

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) program has announced Jason Finley, PhD, and Markus Nauroth, PhD, as its Fall 2025 URCA Vaughn Vandegrift Research Mentors. Nominated by the URCA students, mentors Finley and Nauroth each received a certificate and a $100 deposit into a university account of their choosing.

The Vaughn Vandegrift Research Mentors honor is awarded during the fall and spring semesters and recognizes outstan...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumnus Cole Milam, CFP, MBA, (’20, ’24), has built an impressive career defined by determination, discipline, and a drive to help others succeed. A former standout pitcher for SIUE Baseball, Milam’s journey from the Cougar mound to professional baseball and now to successful entrepreneur and wealth planner exemplifies SIUE’s mission of shaping leaders who make a lasting impact.

Milam’s time at SIUE was marked by both athle...

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) School of Business recently hosted a dynamic Advisory Board Meeting and Social, bringing together members from across the School’s various advisory boards for an evening of collaboration, networking, and celebration. The event, held at The Wedge—one of the University’s newest and most innovative spaces—marked the first time that the School has united its advisory boards for a shared event.

Representatives from the Ac...

Eighteen Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move into the second round of the Metro East’s 12th annual business plan competition.

The Metro East Startup Challenge, a product of the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, welcomes entrepreneurs and new businesses from a nine-county area of Southwestern Illinois with further expansion into Fayette, Montgomery and Macoupin counties. Nea...

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is proud to announce the appointment of Schneidine Louis as the new Director of the International Trade Center (ITC).

Louis brings a wealth of international experience to the role, having served as a diplomat and holding a master’s degree in international business with a concentration in global supply chain and logistics from Georgia State University. Her expertise in expo...

With the publicity still fresh surrounding Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s fall enrollment growth despite challenging national trends, SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, gave an encouraging address, thanking students, faculty, staff, and administrators for achieving the monumental feat.    

Minor delivered the University Budget Update on Thursday, Sept. 4 in the SIUE Morris University Center’s Legacy Room to a crowded audience. Minor opened his remarks b...

Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2025 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's 12th annual regional business plan competition.

The MESC is organized by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE. The purpose of the Challenge is to identify, encourage, and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s service area, including Jersey, Calhoun, Madison,...

 
Something electric is happening in downtown Alton. The Wedge, powered by SIUE, is turning up the energy this July with a lineup of dynamic events that bring together entrepreneurs, visionaries, and changemakers from across the region.

“At The Wedge, we’re not just hosting events—we’re building a culture of possibility. July’s l...

Mike Hayes, Vice President of Planning, Design and Constructions, is the recipient of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 2025 Construction Leadership Institute (CLI) Alumni Leadership Award.

The CLI Alumni Leadership Award recognizes an outstanding graduate who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to the St. Louis area building community.

Mike Hayes, Vice President of Planning, Design and Construction (PD&C) for BJC HealthCare, is responsible for the overall opera...

The Construction Leadership Institute (CLI) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville celebrated 48 graduates of its program Friday, March 7 as a part of the CLI Graduation celebration. Developed by the SIUE Schools of Business and Engineering, the CLI provides the knowledge, skills and strategies that individuals and companies need in today’s challenging construction industry.

Program Co-Directors Chris Gordon, associate dean of the SIUE School of Engineering, and Kristine Jarden, d...

The Construction Leadership Institute (CLI) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville celebrated 34 graduates of its program Friday, March 8 as a part of the CLI Graduation celebration. Developed by the SIUE Schools of Business and Engineering, the CLI provides the knowledge, skills and strategies that individuals and companies need in today’s challenging construction industry.

Program Co-Directors Chris Gordon, associate dean of the SIUE School of Engineering, and Kristine Jarden, d...

Tyler Unterbrink, Vice President of Operations at the Korte Company, is the recipient of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 2024 Construction Leadership Institute (CLI) Alumni Leadership Award.

The CLI Alumni Leadership Award recognizes an outstanding graduate who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to the St. Louis area building community.

Unterbrink was a member of the CLI’s 2014 class. He knows about hard work, dedication, and what it means to get your h...

“There’s power in the student voice and my presence here,” said Winter Racine, a second-year mass communications student in the College of Arts of Sciences (CAS), and a Senator for Students with Disabilities. “Advocacy can bring about transformation.” Racine was one of a number of speakers who introduced the fifth annual Ed Roberts Champions of Accessibility Celebration in the Morris University Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Monday, Nov. 6.&#...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is now accepting registrations for the 2024 session of the Construction Leadership Institute (CLI). The 2024 CLI will convene on nine-consecutive Fridays from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. beginning Jan. 12 through March 8 on the SIUE campus. CLI is a joint program of the SIUE School of Business and the School of Engineering Department of Construction. 

Success in the highly competitive building industry requires exceptional leadership, management and...

Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2023 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 10th annual regional business plan competition.

The MESC is organized by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE. The purpose of the challenge is to identify, encourage and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s service area, including Jersey, Calhoun, Madison, Bond...

Doug Weber, vice president of Holland Construction Services, is the recipient of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 2023 Construction Leadership Institute (CLI) Alumni Leadership Award. The CLI Alumni Leadership Award recognizes an outstanding graduate who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to the St. Louis area building community.

“CLI’s mission is to produce accomplished leaders who will improve the processes and outcomes in the construction indus...

The Construction Leadership Institute (CLI) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville celebrated 43 graduates of its program Friday, March 10 as a part of the CLI Graduation celebration. Developed by the SIUE Schools of Business and Engineering, the CLI provides the knowledge, skills and strategies that individuals and companies need in today’s challenging construction industry.

Program co-directors Chris Gordon, associate dean of the SIUE School of Engineering, and Kristine Jarden, ...

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has announced the winners of its 9^th Annual Metro East Startup Challenge (MESC). The 2022 business plan competition attracted more than 39 entrepreneurs to compete for a $25,000 prize package.   

Highland Emporium in Highland was awarded the first-place prize of $10,000. Highland Emporium, owned by Carol Eckhoff, is a retail store that provides a locale for m...

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is happy to announce the winners of its 8^th Annual Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC). The 2021 business plan competition attracted more than 25 entrepreneurs to compete for a $25,000 prize package. 

A2 Creative, Inc--3D Gloop!, of Edwardsville, was awarded the first-place prize of $10,000.  A2 Creative, Inc--3D Gloop! creates unparalleled, specifically-engineered ad...

ArtSculpt International, of Fairview Heights, is the winner of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s seventh annual Metro East Startup Challenge (MESC).  The 2020 business plan competition attracted more than 25 entrepreneurs to compete for award prizes totaling $20,000. 

ArtSculpt International, who received $10,000 for first place, is a mosaic tile art company in Fairview Heights and is owned by ...

Seven Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move into the final round of the 2020 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 7th annual regional business plan competition.

More than 25 entrepreneurs expressed interest in the regional competition this year, according to Jo Ann DiMaggio May, director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at ...

A dozen Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move into the second round of the 7th annual Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC) business plan competition.

More than 25 entrepreneurs expressed interest in the regional competition this year, according to Jo Ann Di Maggio May, Metro East SBDC director and MESC coordinator. About half of the individuals...

Cover Me, of Edwardsville, is the winner of the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 6^th annual Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC) business plan competition. CoverMe emerged from eight Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs to claim the $10,000 first prize.

Tech entrepreneur Jeremy Packer has created CoverMe, an E-Gaming Platform that connects players and sponsors.

Representing House of Ninjas LLC, of O’Fallon, owner John Wilmas recei...

Eight Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move on to the final round of the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 6^th annual Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC) business plan competition.

A total of 16 semifinalists completed and submitted their full business plans with the support of the SBDC and professional business mentors. First prize is worth $10,000, second prize is $6,000 ...

Sixteen Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move into the second round of the Metro East’s 6^th annual business plan competition, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Metro East Start-Up Challenge.

More than 50 entrepreneurs expressed interest in the regional competition this year, according to Jo Ann Di Maggio May, director of the Metro East SBDC and Challenge coordinator. About half of these individuals completed...