About the Institute
Credentials for the Innovation & Gig Economy
The COABE Online Entrepreneurship Institute for Adult Educators & Service Providers is aligned with the U.S. Entrepreneurship Certification Examination, equipping adult educators and service providers with the content knowledge, instructional strategies, curriculum, and resources they need to successfully prepare adult learners to pass the U.S. Entrepreneurship Certification Examination.
400+ Free, Online Resources
Real-world Instructional Context for HSE Academic Subjects | Workforce Readiness Skills Preparation | National Live Zoom Breakout Groups for WIOA & Peer Collaboration
PART A: Entrepreneurial Mindset
September 7 – October 6, 2026
5 Zoom Classes on Thursday, 3-5 ET*
Sept 10 & 24 | Oct 8 & 22 | Nov 5
Types of Entrepreneurship | Workplace Entrepreneurship | Entrepreneurial Mindset | Entrepreneur Self-Assessment | Economic Way of Thinking | Problem Solving & Research | Entrepreneurial Pathways | Business Opportunity Recognition | Innovation & Design Thinking | Lean Canvas & Lean Startup
*Class recordings also available
PART B: Business Plan
Jan 18 – Mar 19, 2027
5 Zoom Classes on Thursday 3-5 ET*
Jan 21 | Feb 4 & 18 | Mar 4 & 18
Business Plan | Competitive Analysis | Marketing & Branding | Operations & Resources | Management & Networking | Start-up Costs & Funding Sources | Accounting & Financial Statements | Business Structures & Taxes | Risk Mitigation Elevator Pitch
*Class recordings also available
$550 for Parts A & B
$275 for Part A or Part B
55 Hours of Professional Development
Optional 3-hours of undergraduate or graduate credit for an additional $135
Questions should be directed to Dr. Cheryl Ayers | cheryl42@vt.edu
Click here for registration & payment information
Who Should Attend?
Any adult service provider who works in adult education, basic skills, HSE/GED programs, literacy, career coaching, workforce development, employment centers, social services, aging and vocational rehabilitation, benefits/work incentives, disability services, corrections, veterans affairs, American Job Centers, Goodwill Industries, United Way, immigrant services, disenfranchised youth programs (alternative education, juvenile justice, Job Corps, etc.), foster care, substance recovery programs, homelessness aide, community colleges, and other like-minded nonprofit and government organizations.
“Dr. Cheryl Ayers is a great enthusiastic instructor who shows passion for her work. Her energy motivates you to follow your dreams while engaging others to follow theirs.”
“The course opened my eyes to seeing new ways to help the adult learners in our programs; by seeing them as potential entrepreneurs, there are many other career pathways we can help them explore.”
“The content is great! The assignments, along with the book is awesome, which is a very good resource. Having a facilitator with the passion for entrepreneurship and adult education motivate students to do their best.”
“The work that went into creating, researching, and organizing this institute on the part of Dr. Ayers is astounding. I think the dual pronged approach – determining how to create entrepreneurial training for adult learners while building one’s own knowledge around starting a business or social enterprise is a great way to learn the work and be in the work at the same time. Thanks for your support to all those participants.”
Congratulations to the 2025-2026 Completers of the COABE Online Entrepreneurship Institute!
Name | Program | State |
|---|---|---|
Kay Leigh Faircloth | Coastal Alabama Community College | Alabama |
Jodi Perin | Pima Community College | Arizona |
Ana Danielson | Mono County Office of Education | California |
Elisabeth Ampthor | Salinas Adult School | California |
Jonathan Damon | Pacific Grove Adult Education Center | California |
Michelle Segura | Los Angeles City College | California |
Liz Otterness | College of Western Idaho | Idaho |
Esther Tschappler | World Relief Chicagoland | Illinois |
Jill Warren | Heartland Community College | Illinois |
Angela Whitehead | Heartland Community College | Illinois |
Rachel Montgomery | Heartland Community College | Illinois |
Harrison Stone | Morehead State University | Kentucky |
Candace Robertson | Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans | Louisiana |
Amanda Xiong | City of Saint Paul - Saint Paul Public Library | Minnesota |
Mia Hernandez | Lincoln Literacy | Nebraska |
Jess Pedraza | Dona Ana Community College - Adult Education | New Mexico |
Michelle Garza | Dona Ana Community College - Adult Education | New Mexico |
Annette Gibbs | Durham Literacy Center | North Carolina |
Monica Swank | Knox Technical Center Aspire | Ohio |
Hazel Martin | Eastern Ohio Aspire | Ohio |
Laura Holbrook | South Central Ohio ESC-Aspire | Ohio |
Ova Brown-Gillespie | Chesterfield County Adult Education | South Carolina |
Trinia Mims | Spartanburg County Adult Education | South Carolina |
Elyse Miller | Spartanburg County Adult Education | South Carolina |
Nicke Haney | Greenville Literacy Association | South Carolina |
Liz Meeker | Greenville Literacy Association | South Carolina |
Brandy Hines | Spartanburg County Adult Education | South Carolina |
Gretchen Trexler | Chesterfield County Adult Education | South Carolina |
Latonya Watson | Chesterfield County Adult Education | South Carolina |
Lisa Adams | RALC | Texas |