The first group of nine students graduated with Certificates in Entrepreneurship from the North Central State College Urban Center of Higher Education Wednesday night at 134 N. Main St. in Mansfield.
 

Heather Tsavaris, adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at the Urban Center, said the program celebrates the spirit of entrepreneurship.

"This class is a special one. This group was looking for some help to their business ideas off the ground. They got with the Urban Center and we designed a 10 week program for them," Tsavaris said.

"The students attended the 10 week course and decided they wanted more. So we designed a certificate program around them. The goal of the program is take their business ideas to the next level," Tsavaris said.

The diverse group included high school students from the Ocie Hill Neighborhood and General Motors retirees.

 Tsavaris said the certificate program offered more than just class instruction.

"We provided business coaching, we connected them with mentors in the community, got them access to attorneys, graphic designers and accountants so they can get their business off the ground running," Tsavaris said.

Tsavaris said the certificate program curriculum covers the areas of finance, marketing, strategy, management and leadership.

NCSC president Don Plotts, Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker and Shelby Mayor Marilyn John praised the graduates for their hardwork and dedication to making their business ideas a success.

The graduates of the certificate program are Mike Ballard, Diamond Boyd, Chuck Chiow, Carol Davis, Chris Dorsey, Belinda Morgan, Johnny Morgan and Bondarian Virden.

Tsavaris said there is a new group of 15 students signed up for the certificate program.

For more information about the entrepreneurship program contact the Urban Center at 419-755-9000.