What is CEO
The CEO Program is funded by local business investors strengthens your local community provides 2 high school credits utilizes area businesses as classrooms emphasizes 21st century Learning skills
CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) began in the Fall of 2008 in Effingham, Illinois.
The CEO program:
- Is funded by business investors
- Is open to high school juniors and seniors
- Selects students through a rigorous blind application process
- Serves students from public, private high schools and home school.
- Meets for 90 minutes each day
- Provides 2 high school credits
- Utilizes area businesses as host sites and never meets in a classroom.
- Visits 40+ area businesses each year
- Hosts 40+ guest speakers each year
- Emphasizes 21st century Learning skills
- Provides the opportunity for each student to start their own business
- Provides a mentor from the business community for each CEO student
- Hosts an annual trade show to showcase student businesses
What is CEO explained by Craig Lindvahl
Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities is a year-long course designed to utilize partnerships that provide an overview of business development and processes.
Our local business community partners with area schools to create project-based experiences for students by providing funding, expertise, meeting space, business tours, and one-on-one mentoring. Students visit area businesses, learn from guest speakers, participate in a class business, write business plans, and start and operate their own businesses. Business concepts learned through the experiential CEO class are critical; the 21st century skills of problem-solving, teamwork, self-motivation, responsibility, higher-order thinking, communication, and inquiry are at the heart of a student’s development throughout the course.
Student Testimonials
This class has changed me so much I forget how I used to be. It has changed how I think, communicate, and how I handle people. I never would have thought I would be able to talk to business people as I do. CEO has changed my entire outlook on life and I am very grateful for that.
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Jordan MammoserJasper CEO Class of 2015
"I want to get an inside look at local businesses. I plan on attending SIU Edwardsville for a business degree, and when I graduate, I want to manage my parents’ business, Pyramid Marble and Granite. I think this class has endless opportunities. It could open new doors for my career and life. I am blessed to reside in a town where the CEO teachers and business owners are willing to invest their time, money, and knowledge into this program. I know CEO will help prepare me for my future."
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Megan BrandtCEO Student
I think the biggest thing CEO has taught me is how to be a student of life--to be constantly changing and evolving in both knowledge and character. The program continues to instill in me an understanding about the reality of business and what it is to learn in the presence of failure.
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Kristen FrohningJasper CEO Class of 2015
The CEO class is teaching me a whole new approach to life: the entrepreneurial approach.
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Anne WesselCEO Student
The CEO class has taught me how to be a more beneficial and efficient leader for our community. In addition, it has brought many exciting learning experiences and has given me a better outlook for the future of myself being involved in the community. Not all businesses come in a can, a business must adapt to its marketing area with supply and demand.
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Garrett HallJasper CEO Class of 2015