Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship

Home
United States
Effingham, IL
Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

CEO is a revolutionary concept in entrepreneurship education. The CEO program is much more than a textbook course.

Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship partners with communities throughout the United States to establish and maintain quality CEO programs. Entrepreneurship education seeks to prepare people, especially youth, to be responsible, enterprising individuals who become entrepreneurs or entrepreneurial thinkers and contribute to economic development and sustainable communities. Rather, students are immersed in real life learning experiences with the opportunity to take risks, manage the results, and learn from the outcomes. The First CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) class, began in Effingham in the fall of 2008. The Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship was established in 2010 by Midland States Bank for the purpose of bringing the CEO program to interested communities, helping them to create networks of business people connecting to students. Thus far the Institute has taken the CEO program to communities in seven states; Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Utah growing to 70+ this coming fall. The mission of the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship states: “we believe that entrepreneurship is much more about a mindset than it is a body of business knowledge, much more about a new way to view the world than a collection of business concepts.”

The tools that the institute uses to accomplish its purpose and mission include; guiding Communities through the process of establishing the network of business and community leaders needed to begin a CEO Class. Once the program is established the institute provides ongoing training, materials, curriculum content, resources, facilitators mentoring, and support for the local CEO boards. Many of the materials and operating documents are available through password protected areas of the website. We are continually looking for new ways to strengthen and support our CEO communities. The CEO Connect network is the next step in that development and with your help we can expand the network of human resources in each CEO Community by connecting them to all of the current and future CEO Communities. Together with the help of the Mary Heath Foundation we can make this next step now.

10/30/2026

Shelby Hinterscher took the skills from her CEO experience and directly applied them to her business.

Her full story drops on Friday. Stay Tuned. 🎬

10/29/2026

Calling all Alumni! 📣

The next Alumni Real Talks is November 16th at 5:00 PM CST/6:00 PM EST. One hour of connecting on Zoom to talk about the pivot point.

This is open to all Alumni. You are welcome at any phase of your life or career!

Registration link is in our bio.

10/28/2026

When alumni return to share what they learned firsthand, current CEO participants gain more than advice. They gain perspective from people who have already walked the path they’re starting.

Adams County CEO’s Class of 2027 recently welcomed back alumni Shannon, Ashley, and Cole for a panel discussion led by Annabelle Schaffnit, a CEO alum who now serves on the program’s board and as a mentor.

The panel shared what’s happened with their businesses since graduation, the biggest lessons they took from CEO, and what they’d do differently if they could go through the program again. The conversation went beyond entrepreneurship, too. They talked about how CEO shaped their college and career paths, and about the relationships that still influence their lives today.

The timing matters. As the Class of 2027 works through its Class Business and prepares to launch individual businesses, hearing from alumni who’ve been through the same process gives perspective they can use right away.

As Adams County CEO facilitator Curtis Sethaler shared:
“One of my favorite parts of CEO is seeing the impact of the program continue long after students graduate. Watching alumni return, share their experiences, and invest in the next class is something special.”

Across the CEO network, alumni who come back as panelists, mentors, and board members are a big part of what keeps CEO strong year after year.

Thank you to Annabelle, Shannon, Ashley, and Cole for investing in the Class of 2027.

Post shared from Adams County CEO

10/26/2026

In Christian County, CEO has deep roots and a community that believes in it.

The program got an early boost from the architect of CEO. Christian County CEO Board Chair Mary DelValle shared:

“We got a head start in Christian County because Craig Lindvahl grew up in Taylorville, Illinois, and is well-respected and remembered very fondly here.”

That strong start was carried forward by people who saw what CEO could do for students. In the early years, a guidance counselor at the county’s largest school “was already a believer in CEO and its ability to change students’ lives, and she guided many students to the program.”

That legacy continues today.

“Our guidance counselors today are still critical in identifying students who could grow and thrive in CEO… Christian County CEO has the benefit of being established for a number of years and has alums who encourage their siblings or former team or club members to take the program.”

Since launching in 2015, Christian County CEO has graduated 180 alumni. The program is open to students at 6 participating schools, and this year’s class of 15 is supported by 73 local investors.

When alumni recruit the next class themselves, you know a program is making a lasting impact.

👏 Join us in celebrating Christian County CEO for building a tradition of opportunity, one class at a time.

Inspired by what Christian County CEO has built? Learn how to bring CEO to your community at DiscoverCEO.com

📷 Photos provided by Christian County CEO.

www.ChristianCountyCEO.com

10/23/2026

🎙️ A new episode of Fearless Founders is live, featuring Ellen Didier.

Host Ashton Shultz sits down with Ellen to talk about how she got her start as an entrepreneur, what the journey has looked like since, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. It’s an honest conversation about the wins and the hard parts, and anyone building a business or thinking about it will find something worth taking with them.

Listen now at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1945476/episodes/20005284-ellen-didier-from-start-up-to-sold

10/22/2026

Over 130 CEO participant from 10 programs gathered at Western Illinois University for the annual CEO Leadership Summit.

Dr. Honey Zimmerman and the WIU College of Business, Health, and Community Programs hosted the day. It brought students from across western and central Illinois together to learn, practice leadership, and build connections across county lines.

Highlights from the day:
🎩 Unlocking Entrepreneurial Magic: MIE’s own Chris Egelston paired magic with practical tips on public speaking, engaging an audience, and networking.
🤝 Peer networking: Students were seated with peers from other CEO programs, so they put those networking skills to work right away.
💡 Lead for Good: Dan Teefey, President of the Tracy Family Foundation, closed the summit with a message on leadership: true leaders influence, change, discern, and execute for good.

Thank you to Dr. Zimmerman and McDonough County CEO for organizing the summit. Thank you also to our speakers for their time, and to the board members and facilitators who brought students and learned alongside them.

Programs in attendance:
Adams County CEO
Brown Schuyler CEO
Cass County CEO
Central IL CEO
Hancock County CEO
Knox County IL CEO
McDonough County CEO
Pike CEO
Sangamon Valley CEO
Spoon River CEO

Want to bring CEO to your community? Learn more at DiscoverCEO.com.

10/20/2026

In a rural community like Richland County, relationships matter, and that’s where CEO begins.

Local business owners and community leaders see Richland County CEO as an investment in the next generation. They give their time, share their experiences, and open their doors, giving students learning experiences that go well beyond a traditional classroom. From small family-owned businesses to established industries, students learn directly from the people who shape the place they call home.

That support doesn’t come from the sidelines. Since 2017, Richland County CEO has graduated 82 alumni, and this year’s class of 7 is backed by 61 investors, along with board members, mentors, and community partners who give their time and expertise. Four of those investors are CEO alumni, now reinvesting in the program that invested in them.

As facilitator Sheri Gray shares:
“The impact of CEO reaches far beyond the businesses students create. It can be seen in the confidence they develop, the professional connections they establish, and the entrepreneurial mindset they carry into their futures. Richland County CEO doesn’t just teach students how to leave their mark on the world; it helps them recognize the value of leaving their mark right here at home.”

No single person or business defines the program’s success. It’s the result of an entire community investing in its future.

👏 Join us in celebrating Richland County CEO’s tenth year.
📷 Photos throughout the years provided by Richland County CEO.

Inspired by what Richland County has built? Learn how to bring CEO to your community at DiscoverCEO.com.

10/15/2026

Board members from nine CEO programs across Northern and Central Illinois traveled to El Paso to patriciate in the CEO Regional Board Retreat

For one day, they got to step out of their individual communities and into a room full of people who understand exactly what they do. They talked about what's going well, where they're facing challenges, how to keep growing the kind of leadership that changes students' lives back home, and the partnership and resources offered by MIE.

Representing the retreat were board members from Central IL CEO, Christian County CEO, Heart of Illinois CEO, Kankakee County CEO, Prairieland CEO, Sangamon Valley CEO, Streator Area CEO, WACC CEO Class and Woodford County CEO.

Behind every strong CEO experience is a board of dedicated community members who believe in what's possible for young people in their region. This retreat is how they keep growing too.

The day was facilitated by Le Hartman, North and Central Regional Support and Kris Noble, Board Support and Growth Specialist.

10/13/2026

We’re hiring a full-time, remote Social Media & Marketing Specialist.

CEO has grown to 82 programs across 10 states, with 7,000+ alumni. We’re looking for someone to tell those stories and help bring CEO to the next community.

Apply Here: https://midlandinstitute.com/jobs/social-media-and-marketing-specialist/

In this role, you’ll:
• Manage MIE’s Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
• Create and schedule content in Canva and Meta Scheduler
• Share stories of students, alumni and communities
• Edit and post short videos
• Write email campaigns for donors, partners and programs
• Support event promotion and help shape our marketing strategy

You’ll excel if you have 3+ years of experience in social media or marketing, love storytelling, and want to be part of a mission that inspires young entrepreneurs.

Know someone who’d be great at this? Tag them or share this post.

10/12/2026

Help us give a warm welcome to Greater Mankato CEO!

We are so excited to welcome another program in the Minnesota region, but we are not the only ones!

"We're just a few weeks into the Greater Mankato CEO program, and I'm already seeing more confidence in individuals and a strong connection as a team. These young professionals are learning so much from our local business leaders, and I'm excited to have a front-row seat as they discover what they're capable of. I know this experience will impact them for the rest of their lives" - Laura Harstad, Facilitator

"The launch of CEO, for me, is about building the next generation of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and business leaders. It is also about leadership succession planning specific to the region in which a CEO program operates. When I observe and engage with CEO young professionals, I see the next generation of leaders who will bring growth, ideas, and new opportunities to their communities and the region. That is exciting because we are not simply developing entrepreneurs. We are investing in young people who will ultimately help shape the future of the communities in which they live and work." - Dr. George Taylor, Board Chair

"Starting a CEO Program in Greater Mankato means creating a local legacy, not tied to any organization, that allows kids to grow their entrepreneurship minds in their own way. Fostering guided un-restricted growth in a protected state for future gain." - Jake Ward, Vice Chair

Address

1201 Network Centre Drive
Effingham, IL
62401

Telephone

+15023548816

Website

http://www.midlandinstitute.com/, http://discoverceo.com/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aeQVFNgDB4

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.