DR. JEN BENNETT
Impacting Culture and Investing in Entrepreneurship
Dr. Jen Bennett sat in her high school class itching to get out. She knew very little about college and was ready to be finished in the classroom. However, the local community college seemed doable to her, so she reluctantly enrolled. Then her life took an unexpected and exciting turn.
She enrolled in classes for an associate degree in administration and thought she may work in office systems for the rest of her life. As a first-generation college student, Dr. Bennett had yet to learn what to expect or what opportunities existed. Through her classes, God revealed that He had a bigger plan for her. She quickly fell in love with higher education, and moved on to a traditional four-year university, where she connected with professors, realized she loved learning, and was encouraged to take on leadership roles. From there, she hasn’t stopped.
Dr. Bennett went on to seminary, an intimidating venture as she didn’t consider herself a “theologian” and enrolled during a time when very few women were going to seminary. Yet, she met incredible people and took on ministry soon after completing her degree. Her next steps included completing her doctorate from Nova Southeastern University and taking on the role of Communication and Program Director for the Center for Entrepreneurship at Wake Forest University.
She always felt drawn to entrepreneurship, even as a little girl, when she would sell stamps in school, go door to door selling products from magazines, and consistently run her own make-believe business or classroom. She figures she has “always had this entrepreneurial bug inside.” She started small with a side coaching business and then moved into helping entrepreneurs, leaders, businesses, and ministries create and build their branding and social media presence online. However, in North Carolina, she realized she loved entrepreneurship.
“Entrepreneurship is more than what can we get out of it, but also, how can we impact the cities and communities that God sends us to?”
DR. JEN BENNETT Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship IWU DeVoe Division of Business
The value she sees in entrepreneurship is all about hands-on learning, mentorship, community, and opportunity. Learning to be entrepreneurial is all about “actually doing it.” At Indiana Wesleyan University, Dr. Bennett is an example of intrapreneurship as she builds the entrepreneurship program into a program of doing.
She says, “One of our goals here is helping students launch their entrepreneurial businesses. And so, we allow students to connect with mentors, learn from entrepreneurs, and participate in cocurricular activities. We believe that God is calling entrepreneurs to specific cities and communities to help seek the welfare of those cities and communities. Entrepreneurship is more than what we get out of it, but also, how we impact the cities and communities that God sends us to. When we seek the welfare of the cities where God plants us with our businesses and organizations, then we will find welfare in our entrepreneurial callings.”
Her first new entrepreneurship event on campus was the Launch It Pitch Competition, which took place for the first time on March 26. She strives to ensure every student entrepreneur is equipped with the support to do it.
For Dr. Bennett, this is only the beginning. In the next academic year, she plans to initiate a Launch and Learn reoccurring event in which a speaker will share about their entrepreneurial venture every month while also speaking with students about their ideas. She plans to expand Launch It Pitch Competition to be a two-day event where faculty pitches, panels, and workshops take place and where the community is connected. She even hopes to one day break ground on a Launch Lab Incubator where students can build their businesses and test their ideas.
At the same time, Dr. Bennett had just celebrated the launch of She Leads. A concept she brainstormed after being the girl in community college discovering she wanted to do so much more. The opportunity she sees in this experience will allow her to foster more young women into leaders.
Her willingness and action in pouring into projects are why Dr. Bennett embodies the “actually do it” philosophy throughout her entrepreneurial ventures. She’s paved her way to success and only continues to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. At the same time, she hopes to send more entrepreneurs out into the world through her teachings.
OUR MISSION
To cultivate the leadership potential within every young woman, guided by our faith in Jesus.
The experience is open to high school junior and senior girls in the upcoming academic year in Grant County. Selected participants will embark on a 10-month experience with She Leads, where each month’s session will help young women discover aspects of being an influential leader.
It's not just about attending sessions; it's about growth and empowerment. Young women will learn from other female leaders who have trailblazed their paths and be immersed in workshops designed to equip each girl with the tools to navigate and seize future opportunities.
Igniting creativity for the next generation of future innovators happens in community, which is the reason our She Leads applicants must have a sponsor, such as a coach, teacher, supervisor, pastor, or a similar figure, apply on their behalf. Applications are open and available on the She Leads website.
Student Contributor
Johanna Walker '25
Johanna is a junior studying marketing and finance while minoring in strategic communications, hoping to bring more brands to life like She Leads. She's supported Dr. Bennett by developing She Leads' logo, website and other elements to bring the program's mission to fruition.