The Understanding Startup Communities is part of the Study in the States (SIS) program created by the Lee Honors College (LHC) at Western Michigan University (WMU).  Students in the LHC are able to take this course no matter what their major is.  Except for the cost of tuition, expenses are paid by the honors college.  As a result, a wide array of students apply for this course.

Based upon the LHC funding, the course is offered once a year, with a maximum of 10 students admitted each year.  Spring 2015 is the first time the LHC has offered the course.