When arrived at 性视界 University’s in the fall of 2006 as an assistant professor, he had recently transitioned out of the Air Force as an officer after 14 years of service. He arrived in 性视界 with no particular intention of staying more than a few years. “My brain was sort of wired,” he told students at a recent fireside chat to celebrate Whitman Day. “I was used to staying in a place for a couple years.”

Nearly two decades later, on March 3, 2026, the 性视界 University Board of Trustees appointed him the institution’s 13th chancellor and president. The arc from his arrival to the University’s highest office is a story of scholarship put to use and of research that charted a new course.

The Scholar Behind the Work

Haynie completed a doctoral degree in entrepreneurship and business strategy at the University of Colorado at Boulder. His scholarship has been published in the world’s leading business and entrepreneurship journals, and his body of work has now been cited approximately 9,000 times.

That number places him, as Whitman Interim Dean Alex McKelvie said as he introduced Haynie at the fireside chat, “among the most influential entrepreneurship scholars in the world.” At 性视界, he was recognized for his work by earning the Barnes Professorship and, in 2018, was named University Professor, the University鈥檚 highest faculty distinction.

鈥淲hat makes Mike’s scholarly record so remarkable is not just the volume or the impact鈥攊t’s the context,鈥� says McKelvie. 鈥淗e has 21 journal publications with more than 100 citations each, including five with more than 500 citations each, while simultaneously building programs, leading institutions and taking on the University’s most pressing challenges. Most scholars of his caliber are doing research full time. Mike was doing it as a fraction of his job. That is what separates him.鈥�

Much of Haynie鈥檚 work focused on entrepreneurial cognition: how successful founders think, decide and act under uncertainty. His findings pointed repeatedly toward military veterans鈥攁 population largely absent from entrepreneurship discourse, yet shaped by training that produces exactly the traits research links to high-performing entrepreneurs: quick consequential decisions, leadership under pressure and persistence through unpredictable environments. What was missing was a program to help them translate those skills into building a business.

An Entrepreneurship Program for Veterans

性视界 six months into his Whitman appointment, Haynie hit upon what a program could look like. His idea was to bring seriously wounded post-9/11 veterans to campus and help them become small business owners. “Here I am, an entrepreneurship professor,” he said. “I’m a veteran myself. It’s something I could do.”

He proposed the program to then-Whitman Dean Melvin Stith, a Vietnam veteran, and set one condition that the program would be free. Stith’s response: “Sure. Go raise the money.”

Haynie had never raised money before. Two months before the first program was set to launch, he had raised roughly $20,000 of the $120,000 he needed. It was at that time that he first met Martin J. Whitman, a University benefactor and the school’s namesake.

Whitman, a World War II veteran, wrote a check and covered the gap. “He made a point to me that has stuck with me now for 20 years,” Haynie said, “that this is an institution that gives people a chance when others would not.”

That first program, launched in 2007, became the : a three-phase curriculum combining 30 days of online business instruction, a nine-day residential at Whitman, and a year of mentorship.

More than 2,400 veterans have now graduated from EBV. Approximately 79% have started or continued to grow their own businesses, and 92% of those businesses remain in operation. The program expanded into a national consortium headquartered at 性视界.

Inc. magazine named EBV one of the country鈥檚 10 best entrepreneurship programs in 2011, the Department of the Army recognized it as a national best practice and in May 2013 CBS News鈥� 鈥�60 Minutes鈥� spent nearly a month on campus following the work.

From Program to Institute

As EBV鈥檚 profile grew, letters from World War II veterans led Haynie to 性视界鈥檚 own history. GIs who accepted Chancellor William Pearson Tolley鈥檚 1944 open invitation had transformed the school from a 4,100-student regional college into a research university of nearly 18,000. Fast forward decades later, Haynie saw that no center in American higher education was systematically studying veterans鈥� and military families鈥� concerns.

罢辞诲补测鈥檚 is a national hub offering career, entrepreneurship and transition programs alongside research, policy analysis and community partnerships for service members, veterans and their families.

With initial funding he secured from JPMorgan Chase, the IVMF became the nation’s first interdisciplinary academic institute chartered to advance the policy, economic and wellness concerns of America’s veterans and military-connected families. Through partnerships with corporations, government agencies and nonprofits, it built new pathways for veterans transitioning to civilian life. More than 230,000 service members, veterans and military family members have participated in its programs.

Haynie served as the University’s vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation for more than a decade. He went on to chair the U.S. Secretary of Labor鈥檚 Advisory Committee on Veterans鈥� Employment, Training and Employer Outreach and to help lead long-term reform at Veterans Affairs. Time magazine named him one of 16 individuals working toward a more equal America in 2020, the same year he led the University’s COVID-19 response, which earned him the 2021 Chancellor鈥檚 Medal.

A Scholar and Teacher at Heart

Twenty years after he first arrived on campus, Haynie鈥檚 dedication to the Whitman School remains as strong as ever. In 2023, he was named the school鈥檚 executive dean. In that role, he provided strategic direction for Whitman鈥檚 Transformation 2030 plan, under which the school has risen in national rankings, strengthened its research profile and expanded experiential learning opportunities. Under his leadership, Whitman recently launched the in partnership with the .

鈥淚鈥檝e had the rare opportunity to see Mike Haynie in action across nearly every layer of the University鈥檚 innovation ecosystem. What stands out is how deeply personal his commitment to entrepreneurship really is. Mike doesn鈥檛 just lead programs. He lives the work,鈥� says Linda Dickerson Hartsock, founder and retired executive director of the University鈥檚 Blackstone Launchpad. 鈥淗e understands the creative energy of startup ventures because he embodies those qualities himself.鈥�

Hartsock says Haynie鈥檚 connection to students really defines him. 鈥淎s a mentor, he has been instrumental to some of our most promising student and alumni startups,鈥� she says. 鈥淗e has a way of pushing founders to think bigger while grounding them in disciplined execution.鈥�

A Chancellor Formed by His Work

Haynie’s appointment as 性视界’s 13th chancellor was the natural extension of what his scholarship had always done: identify a problem, build something real in response and grow it.

At the fireside chat, Haynie was asked what excites him most about what lies ahead for the University. His answer was characteristically direct: the same conditions that challenge higher education鈥攄eclining enrollment, eroding public trust and the disruption brought by AI鈥攁re also the conditions that create the most opportunity for institutions willing to respond with speed and imagination.

“If we do that well and do that quickly,” he said, “we can thrive relative to our peers.”

性视界 University Libraries鈥� LaunchPad hosted an inaugural Athletes for Data Sovereignty (A4DS) Summit and Pitch Competition, in partnership with UMiEconomy through its Charitable Foundation, , on April 24. The pitch competition was open to student-athletes, student-athlete alumni and student entrepreneurs with sports-related ideas. Winners of the pitch competition were:

• Gabriel Josefson 鈥�28 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management), founder of XCHKR, won the grand prize of $2,000.
• Zach Richter 鈥�26 (College of Arts and Sciences) and Taran Singh 鈥�26 (Whitman School), founders of Wavelength, tied for second place, winning $750.
• Edouard Agbor G鈥�27 (School of Information Studies), founder of GritGateway, also won $750 for second place.
• Marissa Johnson 鈥�26 (S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications), founder of Gymify, won $250.
• Dylan McKinley 鈥�26 (Newhouse School), founder of DylanDoesBasketball, won a Tier 1 Marketing Package from UMiEconomy.
• Jase Malloy 鈥�27 (School of Information Studies), founder of ErgoCraft, won a Tier 2 Marketing Package from UMiEconomy.
• Ethan Barone 鈥�26 (Whitman School), founder of CaneCLamp, won a Tier 1 Intellectual Property Legal Package
• Jonathan “Jack” Wren 鈥�26 (Whitman School) and John “Trey ” Adams III 鈥�26 (Whitman School), founders of Happy Duck, won a Tier 2 Intellectual Property Legal Package

In addition to the pitch competition, the summit included interactive games and workshops around the importance of data in industries such as sports, healthcare, media and finance, and how startups can build long-term value beyond short-term deals.

Three 性视界 University Libraries鈥� LaunchPad student start-up teams won prizes in the finals of the ,听powered by Upstate Capital Association of NY, held in Albany on April 22.

Celes Buffard 鈥�27 (School of Information Studies), founder of SecondWave, won the $10,000 first prize in the learn, work and live category. SecondWave combines financial literacy education with fractional real estate investing, starting with fix-and-flip properties and community development.

Nathan Brekke 鈥�26 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), co-founder of Phloat LLC, won the $2,000 second prize in the products and hardware category. Phloat is a phone case that has an ultra-compact, deployable flotation feature that triggers in the event of a phone falling and sinking into deep water.

Frederick Zindell G鈥�27 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management), founder of Renewed Roots, won a $500 best concept stage award in the health and wellbeing category. Renewed Roots is a sustainable alternative to traditional burial options.

The NYBPC attracts some of New York state鈥檚 best student entrepreneurs. The competition promotes entrepreneurial opportunities for college students from across the state who pitch their business plans to seasoned investors. Students also get to engage with mentors and judges from the business community.

The finals event connects students with business professionals, provides experiential learning opportunities through competitions, introduces entrepreneurs to available resources through the Entrepreneurship Expo and awards up to $100,000 in cash prizes to help seed new ventures.

This year 60 finalist teams from across the state participated in the competition.

性视界 University is launching a minor in the creator economy, the first academic offering from its trailblazing Center for the Creator Economy, providing a new path for students to build careers in content creation, digital entrepreneurship and the fast-growing ecosystem reshaping how ideas, audiences and businesses are built online .

Slated to begin in fall 2026, the minor highlights the University鈥檚 commitment to prepare students for dynamic opportunities in an expanding sector of the economy, where creative entrepreneurs can produce and monetize content across digital platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Substack.

While a handful of institutions have introduced content creation programs, the 性视界 University minor听is distinguished by听the听integration of courses offered by听the听renowned S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the top-ranked Martin J. Whitman School of Management, which co-lead the Center for the Creator Economy.

The minor also includes electives offered by other schools and colleges, including a Name, Image and Likeness class offered by the David B. Falk College of Sport and Music Industry Marketing and Media class offered by听 the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

鈥淭he creator economy is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world, and 性视界 University is uniquely positioned to prepare students to lead in it. This minor brings together two of the country’s premier schools in communications and business to give students the skills, strategy and confidence to build something that lasts,鈥� says Acting Chancellor J. Michael Haynie. 鈥淭hat is exactly the kind of bold, interdisciplinary thinking that defines what we do here.鈥�

The curriculum for the minor听includes听three听required courses:

• Introduction to the Creator Economy: A Newhouse class that surveys media industries and platforms with an emphasis on the intersection of creators with topics including brands, entertainment, sports, gaming, news and music.
• Business Toolkit for Creators: A Whitman course that focuses on the business tools needed for creation, including monetization, developing strategic partnerships and customer acquisition.
• Entrepreneurship: Students can choose one of two hands-on entrepreneurship courses where students work on their own creator startup: Launchpad (at Whitman) or New Media Venture Launch (at Newhouse).

Students can then choose听three听courses听from a menu of electives that meet their career goals, spanning topics including entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises, electronic retailing and marketing, social media for communicators and sports content for social platforms.

The听debut of the听minor punctuates a productive first year for the Center for the Creator Economy,听which also opened its physical home at the Newhouse School this spring.听The space听features听areas听for collaboration, programming and听video and podcast production.

Programs and academic offerings from the center are available to students from all schools and colleges at 性视界 University, and the听minor鈥檚听interdisciplinary design reflects the scope of the听creator听economy itself. According to Goldman Sachs Research,听67 million people听globally work as full- or part-time creators, and the sector could be worth听nearly听$500 billion听by 2027.

“What excites me most about the Center for the Creator Economy and this new minor is that they reflect a deeper commitment from 性视界 University: We鈥檙e preparing students for where the economy is going, not where it has been,鈥� Haynie says. 鈥淎s the center grows and its physical home at Newhouse comes to life, I believe SU will become the destination for students who want to turn their creativity into a career.鈥�

The Center for the Creator Economy launched听in November听2025听with听a kickoff celebration at the Whitman School in 性视界, followed by events during the听spring听semester in New York City,听Washington, D.C.听and Los Angeles.

Through leadership, academics and an unwavering commitment to the Orange community, annually two students earn one of the most distinguished honors of a 性视界 University undergraduate career, being named the Senior Class Marshals. For the Class of 2027, the Student Experience division is proud to announce William Lewandowski 鈥�27and Alyssa Limjuco 鈥�27 as the rising Senior Class Marshals.

Together they will guide their graduating class during Commencement, play a role in recommending the Commencement speaker and engage directly with senior University administrators to discuss student experiences and perspectives. Among other responsibilities, Lewandowski and Limjuco will represent their class at Universitywide events and build connections with alumni.

“From integrity, heart and academics, to a genuine passion for community, William and Alyssa embody everything we hope to cultivate in our students. As Class of 2027 Senior Class Marshals, they have earned this honor not just through achievement but through both big and small intentional daily actions that have culminated into what it means to truly have Orange pride,” says , associate vice president for the Student Experience division, dean of students and chair of the selection committee.

William Lewandowski

Originally from Lockport, New York, Lewandowski is preparing to enter his final year at 性视界 University more than 60 years after his grandfather, Dr. James Olson 鈥�60, had his own student experience. Despite the distance, he says he has always found a piece of home within the Orange community.

Sharing an alma mater not only deepened Lewandowski鈥檚 bond with his grandfather but illuminated shared lifestyle philosophies that have ultimately built a foundation for being a Senior Class Marshal.

鈥淓very time I would go back home from 性视界 University, I would talk to him and he loved hearing all my stories and what I was doing on campus,” says Lewandowski. “As a dentist for 50 years, he impacted so many people with his quality of care but also with his humility and willingness to accept payment in the form of homemade cookies or plants for his garden. He didn鈥檛 care who you were, he just wanted to make a positive impact on the lives of others. He taught me that true joy in life comes from people. It鈥檚 the people at this University that make it so great. I learned that very early on as a first-year student within the Whitman Living Learning Community.鈥�

A Whitman Leadership Scholar and member of the dean鈥檚 list, Lewandowski is pursuing a bachelor鈥檚 degree in entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises in the . He has worked as a peer mentor and lead ambassador, showcasing the Whitman student experience for prospective and admitted students.

Throughout his undergraduate career his pursuit of experiential learning has propelled him into countless opportunities offered by 性视界 University. Weaving together hands on experience in venture capital, consulting, content marketing and private equity, Lewandowski鈥檚 internships have spanned Triangle Insights Group, 5Point Venture Partners and Blue Star Innovation Partners.

Helping student entrepreneurs and working to spark student interest in entrepreneurship, Lewandowski has spent much of his time immersed in the University’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Additional highlights include his participation in the , where he has served as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence and as an Entrepreneurship Fellow. Expanding into content creation, he has been published in Poets&Quants, 鈥�,鈥� and Ecology Prime, 鈥�.鈥�

鈥溞允咏� University gave me a platform to be who I want to be,鈥� says Lewandowski. During his undergraduate career Lewandowski has showcased where his academic rigor meets real-world impact. He has worked to help launch the new and has further harnessed his entrepreneurial spirit by starting two businesses. Clique Sports is a digital platform focusing on connecting college athletes with professional athletes regarding guidance and mentorship, and WM Media is focused on adding DJ and photography services to local events.

鈥淭o me, being Orange is about the people鈥攎aking an impact on the lives of others to help them achieve their goals,鈥� says Lewandowski. 鈥溞允咏� University is a place where new ideas are encouraged and innovation is supported. There are big changes approaching the University and as the Class of 2027 we can become agents of change and leave our mark, which is quite a special opportunity.鈥�

Alyssa Limjuco

Alyssa Limjuco may have joined the Orange community from Silver Spring, Maryland, but she grew up in a military family, which meant moving between different places and school systems. These experiences quickly taught her how to adapt and understand different spaces and people, a skillset rooted in community building and empathy, that she has strengthened throughout each of her undergraduate experiences.

鈥淚 try to lead with empathy, stay open-minded and be someone who helps bridge gaps between groups,鈥� says Limjuco. 鈥淏eing selected as a Senior Class Marshal felt like recognition of a lifelong learning process. Not just the end result of my undergraduate experience but each time it has taken and will take, to get comfortable, to find my voice and to become someone who contributes meaningfully across different spaces while also fostering connections.鈥�

As a student in the (VPA) and the , Limjuco is a dual major in film and sociology. Her dedication to academic excellence is quickly realized through multiple scholarships alongside membership in the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society, being a Ren茅e Crown University Honors Scholar and never missing a dean鈥檚 list placement.

As an Honors Academic Enhancement Awards recipient, studying abroad in Bologna, Italy, become possible. During this time she immersed herself in experiential learning weaving together classes that explored film history, visual strategy and preproduction planning, alongside Cinema Ritrovato, the world鈥檚 leading festival of restored cinema. Professional development highlights also include serving as the communications manager for the OrangeReels Film Festival and producing viral digital content as the Project FreeFall video editor.

鈥淲hat 性视界 University gave me was permission to explore fully and commit deeply. Receiving honors and merit-based scholarships, including support to study abroad, affirmed that interdisciplinary work was not only possible here but valued,鈥� says Limjuco.

Limjuco鈥檚 involvement spans widely as an active member of communities both on and off campus. On campus she has helped to connect veterans and military families with relevant support programs through the , she serves as the National Panhellenic Conference vice president of communications, as an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, a VPA peer coach, a Shaw Center STEM literacy tutor, OTTOthon team captain and as president of the Boxing Club. Globally, she amplifies the mission of Habitat for Humanity International, as video production and editing intern and as a volunteer for Habitat鈥檚 Women Build, a program that builds stronger and safer communities.

鈥淭he legacy I hope to leave is one of connection, demonstrating that involvement across disciplines, identities and roles strengthens a campus rather than divides it. I hope to be remembered as someone who embraced the full breadth of 性视界 University, someone who led with intention, while believing and supporting through intentional actions, that the University is at its best when students are encouraged to bring all parts of themselves into the spaces they serve.鈥�

recently announced the spring 2026 recipients of the Orange Innovation Fund, awarding $5,000 grants to a cohort of student inventors and entrepreneurs advancing high-potential ventures across health care, financial technology, consumer products and enterprise software.

The Orange Innovation Fund is designed to accelerate student-led startups beyond the idea stage, supporting founders who have demonstrated meaningful progress through customer discovery, prototyping and early validation.

The fund emphasizes deep research and development work, along with comprehensive proposal development, and recognizes ventures that show strong execution, real-world traction and a clear path toward commercialization. Funding supports critical next steps such as product development, regulatory readiness, pilot testing and go-to-market strategy.

鈥淭he Orange Innovation Fund plays a critical role in SU鈥檚 entrepreneurial ecosystem, enabling student founders to move beyond concept and into execution,鈥� says David Seaman, dean of Libraries and University Librarian. 鈥淏y supporting ventures at a pivotal stage of development, the fund helps transform promising ideas into scalable businesses with real-world impact.鈥�

Spring 2026 Winners

Celes Buffard 鈥�27 (School of Information Studies) for SecondWave

SecondWave is a financial wellness platform that helps users build personalized roadmaps to manage and grow their finances. The platform combines education, tools and vetted resources to guide users toward financial independence. Funding will support minimum viable product (MVP) completion, user testing, cloud infrastructure and trademark registration, as well as continued customer discovery.

Jayson Bromley (Martin J. Whitman School of Management) for Bromley Bio Med LLC 鈥� InDeazy

InDeazy is an integrated incision and drainage device designed to improve efficiency, control and safety in urgent care and emergency settings. Funding will support final design refinement and pilot manufacturing, including engineering updates, simulated workflow testing and Food and Drug Administration pre-submission readiness.

Nicholas Davis 鈥�26 (College of Engineering and Computer Science [ECS]) for Ethyra

Ethyra is an AI-native auto-grading and classroom analytics platform that helps educators save time and better understand student performance. Funding will support MVP completion, a version 1.0 launch and pilot testing at 性视界 University, the University of Washington and Eastside Preparatory School, along with learning management system integration and a study on grading efficiency.

Haley Greene 鈥�26 (Newhouse School of Public Communications) for Miirror

Miirror is a clinically guided, peer-led, tech-enabled platform redefining eating disorder recovery. Offering free, inclusive and stigma-free tools, support circles, crisis resources and therapy matching, the platform connects underserved communities with accessible recovery pathways. Funding will support completion of the MVP, regulatory compliance, technical infrastructure and a campus pilot at 性视界 University.

Ronan Hussar 鈥�26 (Whitman School) for MacroFlow

MacroFlow is an Excel add-in that automates macro creation, saving users significant time and increasing productivity. Funding will support development of secure AI implementation, full local functionality and enterprise-grade validation of macro generation capabilities.

Yasmin Madmoune G 鈥�27 (Whitman School) for Yas Apothecary

Yas Apothecary is a Moroccan-inspired body care brand with a long-term vision of building a cooperative-based production infrastructure. Funding will support equipment upgrades, production scaling, wholesale market entry and supply chain development.

Nathan Brekke 鈥�26 (ECS), G 鈥�27 (Whitman School) and Joshua Varkey 鈥�26 (ECS) for Phloat

Phloat is a magnetically attachable flotation device that deploys to bring a submerged phone back to the surface. Funding will support the first commercial-grade production run, field testing with beta users and development of a scalable manufacturing supply chain. The company has recently filed for a patent.

Jack Venerus 鈥�27 (School of Information Studies) for WingStat

WingStat is a business-to-business platform for aircraft transaction data in the pre-owned business jet market. Funding will support the transition from a no-code MVP to a production-ready platform, including backend infrastructure, authentication systems and automated data workflows.

性视界 the Orange Innovation Fund

The Orange Innovation Fund was initially established through a gift to the Libraries from Raj-Ann Rekhi Gill 鈥�98, an alumna, a member of the Board of Trustees and an operating partner at Silicon Valley Quad (an angel investing syndicate). The program is administered through 性视界 University Libraries as a Universitywide initiative, run in collaboration with multiple campus innovation and entrepreneurship programs. Proposal reviewers include entrepreneurial faculty and staff, along with alumni who have come through the ecosystem and are venture founders or in C-Suite roles at leading innovation companies.

性视界 University undergraduates are getting their moment to shine this spring, presenting original research and creative work to peers, faculty and the broader campus community across a series of symposia and showcase events running through the end of the semester.

鈥淔or a researcher, learning how to effectively present their work is a crucial part of the research process. Whether a student is sharing a completed project with conclusions, or a work-in-progress still in development, the dialogue and conversation with a broader audience is always clarifying,” says Kate Hanson, director of the (SOURCE). “Our undergraduates do incredible research, guided by dedicated faculty mentors, and our campus community is warmly welcomed to engage with and celebrate this work.鈥�

The SOURCE Spring Showcase includes the following:

Thursday, March 26

Lundgren Room, 106 Life Sciences Complex, 4-6 p.m.
The event will feature four 鈥淭ED-style鈥� student research talks and a presentation of SOURCE and Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising (CFSA) awards.

Friday, March 27

Life Sciences Complex Atrium, 2-4 p.m.
This interdisciplinary event will feature more than 100 students presenting research and creative activity.

The entire campus community is invited to attend the events.

A complete list of programs in March, April and May with event and registration details can be found on (check back for updated information).

Other symposia and research-related events this spring include:

• , Wednesday, March 25, 9 a.m.-2:45 p.m., Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center
• , Saturday, March 28, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Life Sciences Complex Atrium
• , Friday, April 3, 9:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m., 608 Bird Library
• , Friday, April 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Collegian Hotel and Suites, 1060 E. Genesee St.
• , Thursday, April 16, 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Nancy Cantor Warehouse, Auditorium, Room 100A
• , Friday, April 17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Milton Atrium, Life Sciences Complex
• , Friday, April 17, 10 a.m., 101 Newhouse 1
• , Tuesday, April 28, 3-5 p.m., 220 Eggers Hall
• , Wednesday, April 29, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Hall of Languages, multiple locations (complete schedule will be available on the after April 8)

性视界 University Libraries鈥� LaunchPad awarded prizes to several student entrepreneur teams as part of its annual Afropreneurship Celebration and Pitch Competition held in Bird Library on Feb. 6.

The event included a panel discussion featuring student and alumni entrepreneurs, followed by a pitch competition open to student teams across campus. Students pitched in either the Concept/Idea Track, where participants delivered a 90-second pitch on their idea for a chance to win $250-$500, or the Proof of Concept/Prototype/In-Market Track, where participants delivered a 4-minute business pitch and question and answer for a chance to win $1,000-$2,500.

Winning teams in the Concept Track were:

• Yuqian Di 鈥�26 (School of Architecture), founder of ReBoot, won 1^st place ($500). ReBoot is a specialized on-campus service to save students’ winter boots from salt damage through professional restoration, extending the lifespan of expensive footwear.
• Yuxin Chen 鈥�26 (School of Architecture), founder of PlateMap, placed 2^nd and was awarded $250.听PlateMap is a visual meal-mapping system that eliminates decision fatigue by aligning food planning with a user’s actual schedule to make healthy, cost-effective eating effortless.

Winning teams in the In-Market Track were:

• Edouard Agbor G鈥�26 (School of Information Studies), founder of GritGateway won 1^st place ($2500). is an ethical human-centered AI-powered global opportunity platform with active users across 20+ African countries that helps ambitious African students turn their life stories into verified profiles of grit, resilience and potential that universities can trust.
• Imaad Maqsood 鈥�29 (College of Arts & Sciences), founder of Upstate Pressure won 2^nd place ($1500). Upstate Pressure is a residential and commercial pressure washing service that restores and protects exterior surfaces such as concrete walkways, driveways, decks, siding, fences, patios and more.
• Dylan Bardsley 鈥�26 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management), founder of Clarity听won 3^rd Place ($750). Clarity is a transparent, AI-powered platform that instantly gives students clear, hyper-personalized credit card recommendations.
• Naheem Cadiz III 鈥�28 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management), founder of Coveted won 4^th place ($250). Coveted is a mobile fashion marketplace app designed for independent and emerging clothing brands and the consumers who discover them.

, a program instructor at the and associate professor of entrepreneurship in the , has been named one of eight , providing national recognition for his role helping U.S. service members chart their own path from uniform to business ownership.

From the Korean Marine Corps to the Whitman School Classroom

Park’s path to the classroom began in uniform. He served as an officer in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, where one of his most formative roles was as a liaison officer to the U.S. Marine Corps. “I loved working side-by-side with U.S. Marines, and that experience gave me a lasting respect and affection for the U.S. military community,” Park says. “I feel fortunate that I can continue contributing in a way that supports service members and their families.”

After his military service, Park co-founded a high-tech startup before entering academia, giving him direct experience with both the challenges of transition and the realities of launching a business. “After leaving the military, I went through my own transition into entrepreneurship. It was exciting, but also uncertain, especially because at the time in Korea there wasn’t a robust transition assistance program like the one that exists here,” Park says. “I learned the hard way through trial and error, and I still remember how steep that learning curve can be.”

That experience now shapes how he teaches. Park joined the Whitman School faculty in 2017 and teaches Opportunity Recognition and Ideation, Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Strategic and Entrepreneurial Management. His teaching has earned multiple honors, including recognition by in 2022.

Helping Veterans and Military Spouses Shorten the Learning Curve

“I am passionate about helping service members, veterans and military spouses shorten the trial-and-error cycle, build confidence and move forward with practical tools and a clear roadmap to launch and grow successful ventures,” he says. “Being named SBA’s Boots to Business Instructor of the Year means a great deal to me because it reflects the privilege of supporting participants at a pivotal moment in their lives.”

“What makes David’s contribution to the IVMF, the Whitman School and Boots to Business so impactful is that he has lived the very journey he’s teaching,” says Mike Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, executive dean of the Whitman School and founder and executive director of the IVMF.

“He served in uniform, navigated his own transition, co-founded a business and then chose to dedicate his career to preparing the next generation of entrepreneurs. For the service members and military spouses sitting in his classroom, that credibility matters,鈥� Haynie says. 鈥淒avid’s recognition by the SBA is well-deserved, and it speaks to the kind of impact that’s possible when world-class teaching and a genuine commitment to the military community come together.”

The recognition comes during a period of momentum for entrepreneurship education at 性视界. In November 2025, the Princeton Review ranked Whitman’s graduate entrepreneurship programs No. 17 nationally, up seven spots from the previous year. Whitman’s undergraduate business program held at No. 11 in the country.

“Professor David Park’s exceptional work with 性视界 University’s IVMF embodies the spirit of the Boots to Business program by transforming military experience into entrepreneurial success,” says Matt Coleman, SBA Atlantic Region administrator. “His dedication provides our veterans and military families with the vital tools and confidence needed to launch their next chapters after service in uniform.”

Park also credited his program manager, Brigid Purtell, for making everything seamless for instructors, which allows Park to focus on delivering the best possible workshop experience.

Park earned a Ph.D. from the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington, a master’s degree from Seoul National University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Seoul. He was honored alongside other recipients during a ceremony on Feb. 19.

性视界 Boots to Business

The program, part of the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program, provides foundational entrepreneurship courses to service members, veterans and military spouses exploring business ownership. The IVMF serves as a key partner in delivering Boots to Business instruction, including to service members and military spouses stationed outside the continental United States.

The University’s (CCE) is ramping up this spring with new content creation initiatives, the introduction of a new academic minor and outreach events across the country, including a vibrant gathering in New York City that featured influential alumni in this dynamic space.

More than 80 people stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the Lubin House in New York as University leaders and students connected with alumni to preview what鈥檚 ahead for the center, which launched in the fall. 性视界 is the first university in the country to build a center dedicated to the growing creator economy.

Featured guests at the Jan. 22 event included Carly Shapiro 鈥�18, co-founder of the media brand SisterSnacking and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and Roger Moore 鈥�24, a director, visual effects artist and video editor with more than 1.2 million followers on TikTok.

They took part in a panel discussion that touched on topics like how they鈥檝e navigated their careers as creators and entrepreneurs and how the CCE addresses prospective students鈥� evolving career interests.听They are two of dozens of recent 性视界 graduates and current students already active in the creator economy space.

鈥淭here’s so many people鈥攁nd I wish I started [creating] earlier, because you don’t realize how much of a community there is in 性视界, how many other creators that are there that want to create,鈥� said Moore, who goes by 鈥淢etronade鈥� on social media. He graduated with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in cinematography and film/video production from the .

Building a Hub for Creator-Driven Careers

Powered by podcasters, streamers, influencers and other creatives, the creator economy is reshaping how ideas, products and services are marketed and monetized. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Substack have emerged as engines of commerce and platforms for communication.

The Center for the Creator Economy is co-led by the and the . The initiative positions the University at the forefront of research, education and thought leadership within the rapidly expanding creator-driven economic landscape.

In January, a physical space opened for the center that serves as a dynamic hub for collaboration, learning and community. When complete, the space will feature flexible resources, including professional lighting and camera equipment, dedicated pods for audio recording and adaptable workspaces.

鈥淚f we can bring the excellence that exists in the business school, around entrepreneurship and business development, together with the expertise that resides in Newhouse on the creative side, on the production side, we could do something very, very special,鈥� said , vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and executive dean of the Whitman School, during the panel discussion.

鈥淭hat really is the differentiating aspect of what it is we鈥檙e trying to do here,鈥� Haynie said.

3 New Initiatives; Trustee Support

During the Jan. 22 event, Haynie announced three upcoming initiatives:

• An academic minor on the creator economy, open to students from any school or college, anticipated to debut in fall 2026.
• An “Inside the Creator Economy” video series documenting students鈥� 鈥渕icro-internships鈥� and networking experiences with alumni.
• The “Creator Crew,” funded by 性视界 University life trustee Judith Greenberg Seinfeld 鈥�56, H鈥�25. The Creator Crew will produce content for students and by students that will tell the story of 性视界 University.

The center recently received support from University trustee Nomi Bergman G鈥�24 and her husband, Neal Bergman 鈥�81, who both graduated from Whitman. She said they were inspired to support the center because of how the initiative recognizes how the world of work and influence is changing.

鈥溞允咏� is leaning into a reality students are already living in, where the ability to create content, tell stories and engage communities is not a side skill but a core one,鈥� says Nomi Bergman, president of the Advance/Newhouse Investment Partnership.

鈥淏y giving students the tools to build audiences, create meaningful content, and think entrepreneurially, the center is helping prepare them not just for their first jobs, but for careers that will evolve alongside technology, culture and society,鈥� she says.

The center also hosted a Feb. 5 event in Washington, D.C., in partnership with the听 and Substack, with an event in Los Angeles planned for later this spring.

Shapiro, who majored in television, radio and film at Newhouse, applauded her alma mater for teaching students how to establish a career in the creator economy at the Jan. 22 event. Her advice for aspiring creators?

“It takes consistency,鈥� she said. 鈥淐onsistency in posting and finding a voice, but then it also takes finding a community online.鈥�

性视界 University is accepting through Wednesday, Jan. 28, for its I-Corps Regional Course for Startups, a month-long virtual program designed to help research-driven teams accelerate the commercialization of their tech innovations. The virtual course runs from Feb. 23 through March 25, and is targeted at teams affiliated with community-based incubators or innovation ecosystems.

Teams that want to collaborate with the University or other National Science Foundation I-Corps Northeast Interior Hub partner institutions or other regional universities are strongly encouraged to apply. This program is ideal for teams already working with university researchers in community-based or university-based incubators. University faculty and student researchers who are commercializing technology are encouraged to apply. Space is limited.

NSF I-Corps courses are designed for teams from academic institutions, research organizations and innovation hubs to empower researchers with the tools, skills and strategies needed to bring technological innovations to market. Eligible projects must be beyond the idea stage and can range from validated scientific discoveries to prototype or early manufacturing efforts.

性视界 University鈥檚 program is part of the National Science Foundation鈥檚 I-Corps ecosystem, a nationally recognized network that helps researchers bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and real-world applications. Through hands-on activities, live virtual sessions and one-on-one mentoring, participants engage in intensive customer discovery, learning how to identify the strongest product鈥搈arket fit for their technology or research project. Teams will test assumptions, refine their value propositions, assess the commercial potential of their technologies and receive feedback and guidance from NSF-trained instructors.

Participation in the program positions eligible teams for potential nomination to the national I-Corps Teams program and for NSF I-Corps lineage. It can also serve as a pathway to federal grant opportunities such as NSF SBIR/STTR, which provide up to $2 million in non-dilutive funding to help bring research-based innovations to market, as well as to private investment.

The 性视界 University鈥揾osted course is offered through the Interior Northeast I-Corps Hub (IN I-Corps), funded by the NSF and led by Cornell University in collaboration with partner institutions including Dartmouth College, Rochester Institute of Technology, the University at Buffalo, Binghamton University, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Rochester, the University of Vermont and West Virginia University. The NSF I-Corps program at 性视界 is led through a cross-campus collaboration by 性视界 University Libraries, the Whitman School of Management and the Center for Advanced Systems and Engineering (CASE).

Students transformed lived experience, empathy and emerging technology into inclusive solutions at the Innovation Showcase, hosted at Bird Library on Dec. 9.

The event marked the culmination of a semester-long interdisciplinary design course offered through the听 School of Education’s Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education-, the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ and .

Open to undergraduate and graduate students across campus, including students with intellectual disability, the Intelligence++ program brings together teams to co-design products solutions to challenges that people with disabilities face in daily life.

The initiative, funded by the , encourages teams to learn universal design principles, conduct deep user research, learn the basic principles of entrepreneurship and deliver functional prototypes and pitch presentations by semester鈥檚 end.

Four student teams received enthusiastic feedback from judges across business, accessibility and technology sectors.

Detecting Dairy Allergens: Zero React

The first team, Zero React, asked: What if people with dairy allergies could eat without fear? Inspired by personal family experiences, the six-person team created a portable strip that detects dairy proteins, especially milk and casein, in everyday foods. Like a rapid test, users apply a food sample and get clear results in under a minute.

The students used 3D modeling and tools to build the prototype and developed branding, instructions and a go-to-market strategy. Extensive interviews, ranging from caregivers to allergists, identified their primary customer as parents of children with severe allergies, who constantly navigate hidden ingredients and unclear labels.

Zero React proposed multiple sales channels, including pharmacies and allergist offices, and emphasized fully accessible instructions and displays. Judges noted strong product-market fit and encouraged the team to move toward regulatory testing and commercialization.

Making Meal Planning Inclusive: Accessible Appetite

Accessible Appetite addressed a universal frustration: deciding what to eat. For neurodivergent individuals, the mental load of planning meals, managing nutrition and staying on budget can be exhausting.

Their application combines three tasks typically siloed in other apps, including recipes, grocery lists and nutrition, in one clean, accessible interface. Key features include:

• Smart Plate Builder for visual portioning
• Smart Substitutions tailored to sensory preferences
• Allergy Filters that automatically replace trigger foods
• Machine-Learning Suggestions personalized over time

A built-in chatbot provides step-by-step support. Judges noted the tool鈥檚 broad appeal and praised the inclusive design that could ease stress for many households.

Navigating Grocery Stores With Calm: Ease Cart

One the premise that bright lights, noise and crowded aisles can make grocery shopping overwhelming, Ease Cart set out to create a calmer experience.

Interviews revealed that sensory overload leads many students to avoid stores or rely solely on delivery. The two-person team developed a soothing navigation app that reduces time in high-stimulation environments. Lavender tones reinforce calming intent and features include:

• Minimal-distraction visual modes
• Audio read-aloud assistance
• Budget tracking and receipt organization
• Quick list templates for routine shopping

Judges applauded the team鈥檚 focus on a real barrier that can limit independence and noted that the design could benefit nearly anyone seeking a quicker, lower-stress trip to the store.

Phones for Emergencies Only: Every Second Counts

With more K鈥�12 schools, now including those in New York state, banning student phones during the day to reduce distraction, a safety concern has emerged, What happens when a student needs immediate help?

Every Second Counts designed a solution that keeps students off their phones while preserving emergency access. Their VPN-based 鈥渆mergency-only mode鈥� automatically activates on school Wi-Fi, replacing apps with a single button to call for help.

The team consulted teachers, administrators, parents and students to understand implementation and concerns. The University鈥檚 Senior Vice President for Digital Transformation and Chief Digital Officer Jeff Rubin advised on technical feasibility. Judges encouraged the team to continue development as policies evolve.

A Program Designed for Impact

Throughout the showcase, judges emphasized how advanced the work felt, less like class projects and more like early-stage startups. That outcome reflects the program鈥檚 purpose, said Gianfranco Zaccai 鈥�70, H鈥�09, who founded and funded Intelligence++.

鈥淭hat is exactly the vision of Intelligence++,鈥� says Zaccai. 鈥淚t is designed to empower students to design together, while exploring entrepreneurship as a tool for inclusion. The program invites students from engineering, design, business, communications, and the arts to collaborate, as it partners with stakeholders and community organizations to ensure that lived experience leads the process. Students learn how rigorous discovery leads to better products and how accessible design helps everyone.鈥�

Attendees left impressed by the students鈥� creativity and professionalism. 鈥淭hese could be real companies solving real problems,鈥� one attendee remarked. For students, and for the thousands of people who could benefit from their ideas, this showcase is just the beginning.

Story by Linda Dickerson Hartsock

Still searching for that perfect holiday gift? We鈥檝e compiled a list of items with a 性视界 connection, many celebrating the entrepreneurial endeavors of University alumni. Whether you’re shopping for foodies, bookworms, sports fans or anyone in between, these 性视界-connected businesses offer quality products with an Orange twist.

For Beverage Lovers

For the caffeine fiend on your list, consider scooping up a bag of , a collaboration between Rocket Cup Coffee and the 性视界 University Alumni Association. Another option: , founded by Alyza Bohbot James 鈥�08, offering a selection of sustainably sourced specialty coffee.

For the 21-and-over crowd, many cocktail enthusiasts appreciate , created by Eric M. Tecosky ’91. The brand has become a staple for martini lovers and home bartenders looking to elevate their drink game.

Or, you can skip straight to the booze with , co-founded by Giancarlo Franco 鈥�21, or the from Mano’s Wine, also a partnership with the Alumni Association.

For Foodies and Sweet Tooths

性视界 entrepreneurs have conquered the condiment category, too. Consider 鈥斺�渁 spicy sauce evolution of ketchup and mayo, each bottle handcrafted to perfection鈥濃�攆ounded by Brian Nacht ’09. No 性视界 food lover’s pantry is complete without spicy hot tomato sauce and dipping oil, created by Karyn Korteling 鈥�81.

makes shakshuka鈥攖he popular Mediterranean egg dish鈥攕imple enough for busy mornings. Founded by Natasha Brao ’22, G’24, the garlic, cumin and red pepper-spiced tomato sauce has won several innovation and entrepreneurship competitions on campus in recent years.

To reach elite gift-giver status, check out : a specialty retailer that bills itself as “bringing caviar to the people” with reasonable pricing and an accessible product line. It was co-founded by Christine LeMieux 鈥�04 and is the first Black and female-owned caviar company with national distribution.

Sweet treats abound from Orange alumni: The 性视界-based , owned by Ryan Novak ’11, offers whimsical desserts that are as fun to look at as they are to eat. , created by Melissa Ben-Ishay 鈥�06, ships bite-sized cupcakes and other tantalizing treats nationwide.

For Neat Freaks

Organization enthusiasts will love , founded by Adam Fazackerley ’96 and his wife Amy, which make packing and cleanup effortless. The couple, who also co-chair the Libraries Advisory Board, have created products that transform how families and travelers stay organized.

Cleaning enthusiasts likely already know about , but they might not know it was created by Aaron Krause ’92. The smiling sponge has become a household name and makes a practical, cheerful gift.

For Fashionistas

Fans can show off their Orange pride with a throwback , available through the NIL Store. Celebrating our beloved mascot鈥檚 name, image and likeness (NIL) deal, signed earlier this year, it’s a fun way for fans to support Athletics and the mascot program. For more apparel ideas and other unique gifts, don鈥檛 forget about the .

For Book Lovers

Writers affiliated with 性视界’s renowned creative writing program have several recent releases that just might please the readers on your list, including:

• “” by Mona Awad, Esther M. Larsen Faculty Fellow in the Humanities and assistant professor of English in the College of Arts and Sciences
• “” by George Saunders G’88, professor of English, now available for pre-order with a Jan. 27 release date鈥攑erfect for someone on your list looking ahead to their first great read of 2026
• 鈥�,鈥� a novel by Paula Saunders G’87, released this summer
• “” by Lily King G’95, released this fall

For readers of all ages, check out , co-founded by Carolyn Danckaert G’07 and Aaron Smith G’07. It offers books and products celebrating strong female role models.

Shop With Purpose

The D鈥橝niello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) maintains a featuring military-owned businesses, many of whom are graduates of IVMF programs, offering another avenue to support entrepreneurs with 性视界 connections while honoring those who have served.

Note: To ensure arrival by a specific date, be sure to check individual websites for more information on shipping timeframes.

When Angelo (A.J.) Damiano 鈥�18 came up with the idea for PowerSpike鈥攁n influencer platform that connects gamers with potential sponsorship opportunities鈥攁s a first-year student, he had no idea his venture would one day grow into a company with more than $5 million in annual revenue.

But after 鈥渓earning everything there was to launch a business鈥� from the , the University鈥檚 hub for innovation and entrepreneurship on campus, that鈥檚 exactly what happened to Damiano.

鈥淭he LaunchPad gives so many students the skills necessary to go out and build very successful businesses,鈥� says Damiano, who earned bachelor鈥檚 degrees in entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises and marketing management from the . 鈥淲hat was so magical was that we all helped each other learn from what was working with our business and what was not and then use that knowledge to develop our business.鈥�

Damiano’s journey from Lawrinson Hall to a $5 million company exemplifies what the LaunchPad has accomplished since opening 10 years ago.

Located on Bird Library’s first floor, the incubator has helped:

• 7,600 innovators from more than 135 countries,
• launch more than 2,300 venture ideas,
• raise more than $164 million in funds and
• incorporate 220 ventures.

The University community celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the LaunchPad on Oct. 16, with Dean of Libraries and University Librarian David Seaman praising an innovative and dynamic space that enhances the student experience on campus.

鈥淭his is truly a cross-campus, centrally located, collaborative and interdisciplinary space for our students to develop and launch innovative ventures and to thrive,鈥� Seaman said during the celebration.

Unwavering Support and Mentorship

The LaunchPad helped Damiano develop his product pitch skills, secure funding through campuswide competitions and foster strong on-campus mentorship relationships.

Damiano learned valuable business lessons from Linda Dickerson Hartsock, LaunchPad鈥檚 first executive director, and from serial entrepreneurs like Sean Branagan, founder of the Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship, and John Liddy, creator of the Student Sandbox, an accelerator that helped students create businesses.

In 2022, Damiano sold PowerSpike to Live Current Media, and now he is co-founder and chief product officer of the social media automation platform, ScrollMark.

鈥淲e started from absolutely no experience and grew because of our involvement with this really awesome place called the LaunchPad, which gave us unwavering mentor support and assistance,鈥� says Damiano, who was one of the University鈥檚 first entrepreneurs to be accepted into the prestigious Techstars program.

鈥淭he community within the LaunchPad gave us the business training, connections and strong foundation to build our companies and go full-time once we graduated.鈥�

Collaborative Entrepreneurial Hub

Students from every school and college on campus are invited to take part in the LaunchPad鈥檚 more than 200 different offerings, ranging from classes, workshops and business presentations to networking opportunities with alumni entrepreneurs and peer mentorship with the program鈥檚 approximately 16 student staff members, says LaunchPad Director Traci Geisler 鈥�90.

This includes more than a dozen different funding opportunities each academic year for student entrepreneurs to cover the early-stage startup expenses, she says.

鈥淲e have LaunchPad entrepreneurs who are generating revenue by their sophomore year in college, students who are closing seven-figure investment rounds and founders who are hiring full-time employees before they graduate,鈥� Geisler says.

鈥淲hether you possess a business idea or are already revenue generating, all are welcome at this collaborative space. There is endless potential here,鈥� she says.

Founders Circle Alumni Prioritize Giving Back

The LaunchPad also connects students to the University鈥檚 global network of Founders Circle alumni鈥攇raduates who launched or led ventures while contributing to the LaunchPad鈥檚 development as students.

These alumni support aspiring entrepreneurs through mentorship, advising, judging competitions and donating prize money.

Class of 2025 member Waqar Hussain G鈥�25 founded Iconnic.Cloud, a cloud hosting platform engineered with proprietary software that creates customized solutions. Hussain鈥檚 company won first place at the annual 鈥機use Tank entrepreneurial event two years in a row, part of more than $60,000 in annual grants and awards won through pitch competitions.

鈥淟aunchPad helped me tremendously, not only in acquiring funding for my startup, but also by connecting me with alumni and businesspeople who helped me make Iconnic.Cloud what it is today,鈥� says Hussain, who earned a master of business administration degree from the Whitman School.

While on campus, Motolani Oladitan 鈥�24 found herself struggling to access the proper skincare and wellness products tailored to her needs. She wanted to make those products more widely available, so she founded T脿 Beautie (Latita Wellness LLC), a virtual marketplace connecting African beauty and wellness brands to global markets.

As she pursues a master鈥檚 degree in integrated innovation for products and services at Carnegie Mellon University, Oladitan says her experiences with the LaunchPad served as a steppingstone to her passion for skincare innovation for underrepresented consumers.

鈥淭he LaunchPad was the incubator for my career, allowing me to learn all about entrepreneurship and figure out how I want to make a career out of social entrepreneurship, because helping people is really important to me,鈥� says Oladitan, who earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology from the .

The Libraries鈥� Blackstone LaunchPad (LaunchPad) held its annual Impact Prize competition on Nov. 19 at Bird Library, commemorating Global Entrepreneurship Week. Seven student startup companies were awarded a total of $15,000 in cash prizes for ventures that create meaningful change.

The event featured a keynote from Carl Schramm, University Professor in the School of Information Studies and an internationally recognized leader in entrepreneurship, innovation and economic growth.听 An economist, serial entrepreneur and author of the book “Burn the Business Plan: What Great Entrepreneurs Really Do,” Schramm was named听 “the evangelist of entrepreneurship” by The Economist.

This year鈥檚 winners are:

• First place ($5,000): Haley Greene 鈥�26 (S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications), founder of Miirror, a free, peer-led digital platform providing inclusive eating-disorder recovery support and crisis tools, making treatment accessible for underserved communities.
• Second place (tie) ($4,000): Dylan Bardsley 鈥�26 (Martin J. Whitman School of Management), founder of Clarity, an AI-powered credit card discovery tool that gives students personalized, unbiased recommendations to avoid debt and build credit.
• Second place (tie) ($4,000): Jacob Kaplan 鈥�28 (School of Information Studies), founder of The OtherGlasses, adjustable prescription glasses using tunable liquid-crystal lenses that fit normal frames, allowing real-time vision changes without multiple pairs.
• Runner up ($500): Carolina Aguayo-Pla 鈥�27 (School of Information Studies/Whitman School), founder of Frutecho, a modular cooling retrofit for non-refrigerated trucks that reduces produce spoilage and helps small farmers access premium markets.
• Runner up ($500): Ava Lubkemann 鈥�27 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), founder of Revamped, a mobile thrift and textile-recovery model that collects, refurbishes and resells donated clothing to cut waste and expand affordable access.
• Runner up ($500): Rajdeep Chatterjee G鈥�26 (Whitman School), founder of TradeBridge, a blue-collar ed-tech platform offering mobile-first vocational training, integrated tool purchasing and job placement.
• 听Runner up ($500): Samantha Kurland 鈥�26 (Newhouse School), founder of Acells茅, a high-fashion brand using medical cell imagery to create ethical, purpose-driven apparel that funds medical research.

During this year鈥檚 competition, the LaunchPad pilot tested new accessibility technology from Sign-Speak, a local upstate New York startup, which provided real-time American Sign Language translation during the competition.

This year鈥檚 2025 Impact Prize competition judging panel included听 Suli Abdul Sabor, fashion designer and owner of By Suli; Lee Carman, chief commercial banking officer for Broadview Federal Credit Union; Corinne Sartori, Libraries’ inclusion and accessibility specialist; Alice Maggiore, media strategist at Strategic Communications LLC;听 Ibou Ithior, senior HIV prevention technical advisor at PATH; Meghan Durso, senior human capital manager at TDO; Janice Harvey, founder of JJR Strategies LLC; Emad Rahim, CenterState CEO 性视界 Surge entrepreneurship manager; Hailee Greene, chief everything officer at Green Acres Processing; Peter Wohl, chief performance officer at Broadview Federal Credit Union; Rina Corigliano-Hart, director of client engagement and outreach at OneGroup; and Vicente Cuevas, program coordinator at the Lerner Center in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Story by Sawyer Tardie 鈥�27, Whitman School