This article from Harvard Business Publishing Education explores strategies for fostering entrepreneurial mindsets among students, regardless of their field of study. It emphasizes the importance of project-based learning, encouraging students to navigate their own paths and develop critical thinking skills. The piece also highlights the role of educators in creating environments that promote creativity, risk-taking, and innovation, preparing students to tackle complex real-world challenges.

This article from The Michigan Daily highlights the University of Michigan’s Entrepreneurial Creativity course, led by Dr. Eric Fretz. The course encourages students to undertake ambitious projects, fostering creativity and entrepreneurial thinking. Dr. Fretz motivates students by emphasizing that achieving remarkable outcomes—”epic sh*t”—is a key component of their success in the class.

In this episode of The Studentpreneur Show, Dr. Eric Fretz joins host Taegan Thomas to share insights on entrepreneurship, creativity, and student innovation at the University of Michigan. Dr. Fretz offers practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, discussing how students can navigate limited resources, take bold risks, and build impactful ventures during their college years. The episode also spotlights the unique entrepreneurial culture at U-M and some of the standout successes that have emerged from the Entrepreneurial Creativity course.

In this episode of The Ryan Morrison Show, Dr. Fretz dives into his powerful transition from military life to academia, what leadership really looks like behind the scenes, and how teaching 8,000+ students has changed his worldview. From veteran identity to entrepreneurial mindset shifts, he shares raw, honest insights on service, growth, and what it means to leave a legacy that matters. It’s a thoughtful, energizing conversation about discipline, disruption, and how purpose evolves long after your first mission ends.

University of Michigan students Morgan Lerner and Anne Slabotsky transformed a class project into GoNanas, a health-conscious banana bread mix company. Founded in 2017 from their dorm room, GoNanas offers vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-friendly banana bread mixes. Their innovative approach to a classic comfort food garnered national attention, leading to their inclusion in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in the Food & Drink category. GoNanas exemplifies how entrepreneurial spirit and creativity cultivated at the University of Michigan can lead to successful, real-world ventures.​

A group of University of Michigan students initiated a campaign to bring the first Waffle House to Michigan, aiming to establish a location in Ann Arbor. Their efforts included launching a petition and engaging with the community to garner support. The initiative gained significant attention, highlighting the students’ entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to enhancing the local dining scene.

Hundreds of University of Michigan students and Ann Arbor community members glided in and out of the Diag Monday night, lured by the festive white and blue lights and the sound of cheer floating through the air. Central Student Government hosted a classic holiday experience, where they provided hot chocolate, cookies, music and — the main event — an ice skating rink.

 As part of PSYCH 223: Entrepreneurial Creativity, LSA senior Iman Kadwani, Business sophomore Maya Lindsley, and Business freshman Aleena Malik were asked to pitch a product or event to devote their semester-long class to creating. Over the past month, the Interfaith Exploration Program gave University of Michigan students the chance to visit various places of worship across the city of Ann Arbor. This student-run initiative aimed to foster better understanding between religions among students of all faiths and backgrounds. 

About 175 University of Michigan students gathered at The Kensington Hotel in Ann Arbor Friday for Redemption Prom, an evening of ballroom dancing, singing and celebration featuring a vintage photo booth with props, a professional DJ and a bar. 

Redemption Prom was the culmination of a semester-long project for ALA 223: Entrepreneurial Creativity. The course explores the intersection of innovation, problem solving and creativity through a focus on entrepreneurship group projects. Redemption Prom was organized with the goal of providing a make-up dance to the class of 2024, who missed their high school prom due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. 

When LSA sophomore Michaela Nam took the Michigan Marriage Pact survey last year in her dorm with friends, she was intrigued by the pairing algorithm claiming to find your “perfect match” on campus. This semester, she immediately jumped at the opportunity to join the team and help connect students. 

While there may be an expectation for students to meet their significant others in college, the pact’s website boasts itself as the perfect backup plan for those that don’t find their soulmate. Stanford University sophomore Melinda Gong is currently a project manager for the Michigan Marriage Pact and said it originated with one crazy idea for a class project five years ago. 

There is a new way University of Michigan students are virtually interacting this semester aside from the relatively new expectations of an online education — the Instagram account Michigan Missed Connections (@michiganmissedconnections). The account posts anonymous stories submitted by students about an interaction with a stranger that did not last long enough or that did not happen at all. To appear on the Michigan Missed Connections account, students typically direct message the account with details about such an interaction. Students can claim responsibility for being one of the strangers mentioned in the posts by commenting on the post or privately messaging the account to be connected with the sender. 

More than 120 University of Michigan students filled the Michigan Union Pendleton Ballroom Friday evening in elaborate costumes and gowns too big to fit into any dorm closet. The ballroom was adorned with cascading wisteria flowers and lit by chandeliers, with classical renditions of modern pop playing in the background as part of a “Bridgerton”-inspired event. 

The event started as a class project led by Engineering sophomore Poorani Arunchunaikani, Art & Design senior Hanson Wu, LSA senior Isabelle Pacurar and Information junior Joy Huang. In an interview with The Daily, Arunchunaikani, the ball’s project manager, said the group spent the entire semester working on the project for class ALA 223: Entrepreneurial Creativity. Arunchunaikani said the team’s goal was to fill a gap they saw on campus.