Ryan McCollum

Ryan’s passion for entrepreneurship began through his experience working in his family’s small business, where he gained a deep appreciation for perseverance, the unique challenges small businesses face, and the rewards of building something meaningful. Growing up in a small town in rural northwest Minnesota further shaped his perspective, fueling his commitment to supporting rural economic development and strengthening communities built on local enterprise.

At the Center for Entrepreneurship and Family Business, Ryan supports programming, events, marketing, and collaborative initiatives designed to spark creativity and connect students with real‑world opportunities. With both firsthand experience in family business and a broad background across multiple industries, he works to ensure that all students, regardless of major, can explore new ideas, develop practical skills, build meaningful connections within the entrepreneurial community, and pursue their entrepreneurial goals here in Fargo. He enjoys the variety of his role, which blends creativity, problem‑solving, and community building.