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Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurial Innovation (CLEI)

"Inspiring innovation through education"

Imagine going to work every day and doing something you feel a calling to do. The Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurial Innovation (CLEI) is committed to helping students discover that passion and providing them with the know-how needed to turn their ideas into viable business innovations.

Established in 2003, CLEI offers students real-world learning experiences and access to successful business leaders across a range of disciplines. Entrepreneurial-minded students are empowered to pursue their ideas while learning creative problem solving, collaborative teamwork, organizational leadership, market analysis and strategic planning. Underpinning all these educational experiences is a solid foundation in the skills that will be vital to them as future leaders and innovators.

Contact Information

Justin vanBlaricom
CLEI Director
vanblaricom@roanoke.edu

Programs

  • students laughing at a roundtable event

    Monthly Entrepreneurial Experience Speaker

    Each month during the academic year, a local or national entrepreneur shares his or her experiences with students during a Q&A panel. Speakers use their experiences to teach and encourage students who have a desire to pursue entrepreneurial passions. 

  • students and faculty smile for a group photo

    Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO)

    This student organization is focused on helping like-minded, future entrepreneurs connect and share ideas. Chapters of CEO are on over 200 campuses throughout North America.

  • Students in business attire make a presentation in front of a backdrop banner stamped with words that include: Create. Dream. Innovate. Design.

    The Pitch

    In the style of “Shark Tank,” this contest gives students of all majors the chance to develop a business plan and present it to a team of judges from the business community. The winning pitches are rewarded with cash prizes. 

  • students at the salem baseball park

    Salem Civic Challenge

    Created in partnership with the City of Salem, this event tasks students with developing a quick-turnaround presentation offering innovative solutions to an issue facing city leaders. Cash prizes are presented to the winning teams.

  • 2022 speaker Stephanie Stuckey, CEO of Stuckey’s, addressing audience in front of a projector screen

    Pi Lambda Phi and CLEI Leadership Speaker

    This annual event brings a national figure to campus to share their insights on leadership, perseverance and the entrepreneurial spirit. It also includes the presentation of student scholarships.

  • people talking with one another at a banquet event on campus

    Entrepreneur in Residence

    Each year, a successful entrepreneur is given the symbolic title of Entrepreneur in Residence. That person engages with Roanoke students in a variety of ways from guest speaking to mentoring.

Meet The Director

Justin vanBlaricomJustin vanBlaricom, a Roanoke College alumnus, graduated with a business administration degree in 2004 and went on to co-found a thriving venture after spotting the potential in an emerging new phenomenon: van life.

Noke Van Co., which vanBlaricom is CEO of, creates custom camper vans to serve the growing market of people who yearn to live the life of an adventure-seeking wanderer out on the open road. The enterprise was named New Small Business of the Year by the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber of Commerce praised the company for its unique vision and success in building its business from the ground up. "Their story is one of inspiration, resilience, and a true testament to the entrepreneurial spirit that defines our vibrant community," it said.

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