After more than a decade helping shape and grow Michigan State University's entrepreneurial ecosystem, Chris Sell has been named director of corporate and student relations for the department of Supply Chain Management in the Broad College of Business. Chris will begin his new role on July 6, with his final day supporting the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation and Broad College of Business fundraising team on July 3.
Since joining the university’s entrepreneurship program in 2016, Chris has played a pivotal role in the growth of the Burgess Institute. During his tenure, the Institute evolved from a young entrepreneurship program supporting a single annual scholarship into one of the nation's leading undergraduate entrepreneurship programs, serving thousands of students, alumni, and community members each year.
As director of alumni & entrepreneur engagement, and later serving as associate director of development, Chris helped strengthen the Institute's network of alumni, donors, founders, investors, and community partners. His efforts expanded opportunities for students while helping build the relationships and philanthropic support that continue to strengthen entrepreneurship and innovation at MSU.
Among his many contributions, Chris played a key role in the development of the Spartan Founders Club, helping establish a community of founders, executives, investors, and supporters committed to advancing entrepreneurship education at MSU. He also helped secure support for major university initiatives, including the Leinweber Center for Engineering and Digital Innovation.
"Chris has been instrumental in building relationships that have expanded opportunities for Spartan entrepreneurs and strengthened the Institute's impact across campus and beyond," said Laurel Ofstein, senior director of the Burgess Institute. "His dedication to our students, alumni, and entrepreneurial community has helped shape who we are today."
In his new role, Chris will serve as a liaison between corporate partners and university stakeholders, helping strengthen industry relationships, expand experiential learning opportunities, and connect students with meaningful career and professional development opportunities within the supply chain management department.
The Institute's leadership team is actively developing a thoughtful transition plan to ensure continued momentum and support for MSU's entrepreneurial community. The Burgess Institute remains committed to strengthening its alumni, donor, and community partnerships while continuing to support the next generation of Spartan entrepreneurs.
The Burgess Institute extends its sincere gratitude to Chris for his leadership, dedication, and service to MSU. His contributions have helped create lasting opportunities for Spartan entrepreneurs and strengthen the foundation for future generations of founders, innovators, and leaders. The relationships, programs, and community he helped build will continue to create opportunities for students and strengthen MSU’s entrepreneurial ecosystem for years to come.