The mission of the Charles H. Diller Jr. Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (the Diller Center) and Innovation including the Milton K. Morgan III Makerspace is to develop both the skill set and the entrepreneurial mind set of students at Shippensburg University to recognize and capitalize on business opportunities. The Milton K. Morgan III Makerspace offers a hands- on, innovative learning space for Shippensburg University students for prototype creation and testing.
About the Diller Center
The Charles H. Diller Jr. Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation stands ready to mentor, support, and encourage any student, staff or faculty member who wishes to strike out on their own with an idea. We are laying the groundwork to launch successful businesses, ventures, and contributions to society.
Charles H. Diller
In 2016, Chuck and Jane established an endowment for the newly established the Charles H. Diller Jr. Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation, complementing the University’s Entrepreneurship major and minor and providing additional funding for student competitions, speakers, entrepreneurship mentors, student organizations, seminars, conferences, and other opportunities.
Mr. and Mrs. Milton K. Morgan III Makerspace
The Mr. and Mrs. Milton K. Morgan III Makerspace offers a hands-on, innovative learning space where Shippensburg University students, faculty, and staff can work and innovate. It is a creative space for ideas, dreams, and visions to grow and become reality through experimentation and collaboration.
Diller Center Staff
Robin Burtner, Director, has been with Shippensburg University since 2007 as the Director of the Shippensburg University Small Business Development Center (SBDC). She leads the planning, development, and implementation of programs supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs across Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York counties.
Diller Center Scholars
At the beginning of every academic year, the Diller Center will select faculty members who embrace and incorporate the mission of the Diller Center into their curriculum. They create a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the classroom.
Signature Diller Center Programs
Student Made Shippensburg
Student-Made is a national organization with a mission to identify, support and promote Student-Creators of ALL kinds! Our branches are run by a team of six Student-Managers, working together to operate and grow the program. So, we really mean it when we say… we are for students, and by students.
Ship Tank
The purpose of Ship Tank, presented by the Diller Center, is to provide Shippensburg students with a chance to explore their entrepreneurial interest in an environment where they can learn, grow, and earn some cash! Students will pitch their ideas to a panel of ‘sharks’ who range from Shippensburg University faculty, community entrepreneurs, and their peers in the audience.
Speaker Events
The Diller Center presents speaker events several times a year to bring experienced voices with current and relevant information on a variety of topics to the Shippensburg community.
Entrepreneurial Learning Experiences
Conferences, Intensive, Immersive programs
European Innovation Academy
The Diller Center sponsors students to attend the 3-week international program in Porto, Portugal, where students collaborate globally to build and pitch startups.
SCALE Conference
The Diller Center sponsors two creative arts students at Shippensburg University to attend the SCALE (Student Creative Artists Learning Entrepreneurship) Conference. Read the full article here. Two students in Spring 2026 will be selected from creative arts instructors to attend. If you are interested as a student to attend, please reach out to your professor.
Business Beyond the Battlefield
Each year, the Diller center sponsors 2 veterans and military associated Shippensburg University students to attend this nationally recognized conference on entrepreneurship for veterans.
48-Hours To Launch
This immersive event, scheduled for November 8–9, 2025, brought together up to 60 students from across various colleges and universities for a fast-paced, hands-on experience in launching a business — start to finish — in just 48 hours.
Alumni Businesses
Discover Shippensburg University alumni who have launched businesses across the country, offering a wide range of services and goods. Browse business profiles, connect directly, and explore locations through an interactive map.
This hub connects students with alumni entrepreneurs and encourages the Ship community to support fellow Raiders in business.
Pictured: The owners of Denim Coffee, Alumni Matt and Kristin Ramsay '08 and Tony Diehl '07.
