student uses metaverse technology to promote equitable learning

When most students focus on acing term papers and landing internships, Lynn University student Zach Hirsch, class of 2024, is busy building his digital empire. At just 21 years old, the junior is a social influencer with over 2 million Instagram followers, podcaster, sports analyst and co-founder of Mozverse—a web development platform specializing in blockchain technology and Web3 integration.

West Palm Beach, FL – Six prominent local women will help advance heart health and raise lifesaving funds to fight their No. 1 health threat with the American Heart Association, devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, as members of its Palm Beach County 2023 Woman of Impact class. In a related program, local teen Eva Vukusich is Palm Beach County’s first Teen of Impact.

Each year a select group of individuals across Palm Beach County are nominated by their peers to become an American Heart Association Woman of Impact nominee because of their passion and drive to make a difference in the community and raise awareness of women’s cardiovascular health.

“Cardiovascular disease remains our No. 1 killer so it’s vital for all women to take charge of their heart health and encourage others to do the same,” said Ashley Vertuno, CEO of HCA Florida JFK North Hospital and Chair of the 2023 Go Red for Women movement in Palm Beach County. “While we’ve made some great strides over the years, we still have a long way to go. For example, American Heart Association surveys have found younger generations of women, Gen Z and Millennials, are less likely than prior generations to be aware that cardiovascular disease is their greatest health threat.1 We must raise our voices for all ages and stages of life and make sure all Palm Beach County women know how to take steps now to protect our heart later.”

Palm Beach County’s 2023 Woman of Impact Nominees are:

Collette Cattafi, Director of Emergency Services, Behavior Health Intake, & Addiction Stabilization Unit at JFK North Medical Center

Jyrece McClendon, Interim Dean of Academic Affairs at Palm Beach State College

Shenetria Moore, Owner of SHE Holdings

Iliana Rentz, Head of Vegetation Management for NextEra Energy

Thais R. Sullivan, Senior Vice President at Valley Bank

Maya Asha Underwood, Medical Educator at Palm Beach County School District

For the first time, the American Heart Association Palm Beach County also has a Teen of Impact: 18-year-old Palm Beach County resident Eva Vukusich. Vukusich will be using her personal experience of witnessing her dad having a heart attack to spread awareness for heart disease.

“By using their influence, their local networks and their unique lived experiences, these volunteers are able to make a measurable difference in our community and we are so grateful for each of them,” said Grasford W. Smith, Partner at Akerman LLP and Chairman of the American Heart Association Palm Beach County Board of Directors. “Woman of Impact truly embodies the power of coming together to create important and lasting change for good.”

Woman of Impact is an extension of the American Heart Association’s long-standing Go Red for Women movement, a comprehensive platform designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally.

While most cardiac events can be prevented, cardiovascular disease continues to take the lives of 1 in 3 women in Palm Beach County and nationwide. According to 2019 data from the Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 34.9% of adult women in Palm Beach County reported having hypertension and 5% reported having had a heart attack.

Beginning on National Wear Red Day, Feb. 3, 2023, hundreds of Woman of Impact nominees nationwide embarked on a 9-week journey to help transform the health of women. Each week, nominees and their Impact Teams, made up of friends or family members, participate in activities designed to create a culture of wellness and health equity. Activities include educational events, learning and spreading the word about CPR, getting active, recruiting women to participate in research, and more. Nominees and their Impact Teams also raise critical funds for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement in Palm Beach County.

On April 19 at the Palm Beach County Go Red for Women Luncheon at the Pelican Club in Jupiter, the woman whose team has the highest number of impact points— awarded through a combination of fundraising and mission impact activities —is named Palm Beach County’s 2023 Woman of Impact Award Winner. The nominee with the most points nationwide will be named the National Woman of Impact Award Winner.

To learn more about the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement in Palm Beach County visit PBGoRed.Heart. org.

The American Heart Association Palm Beach County serves the residents of Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties. Sponsors and volunteers assist the organization in guiding efforts to reduce incidences of heart disease and stroke, the Nos. 1 and 5 leading killers, respectively, of American men and women.

At Mozverse, Hirsch is focused on the future of the metaverse. As he creates fully immersive virtual worlds for his clients, he imagines how entertainment and retail industries will create elevated consumer experiences online.

“Just like we went from Web1 to Web2, Web3 is the next wave,” Hirsch said. “People are becoming aware of what it can do. I predict we will see a full transition within five years.”

Through hard work and vision, he’s positioned Mozverse as the Web3 version of Amazon Web Services (AWS), featured in Forbes and Business Insider as a leading platform to immerse startups and tech companies in the metaverse.

I was going to wait to start my business, but everyone around me encouraged me to start now. It’s never too early to launch your career, especially when combined with what you learn while in college.Zach Hirsch, class of 2024

Now, he wants to bring students along for the ride. In addition to cultivating a comprehensive space for NFTs, cryptocurrencies and blockchains, Hirsch has partnered with Ali Kaufman, CEO of Space of Mind, to build a virtual K-12 school within the metaverse. Hirsch’s “learn to earn” platform incentivizes students to continue their education by offering prizes or the chance to earn money. Hirsch hopes low-income and marginalized students will feel compelled to graduate by creating a space where academia and careers collide.

“Today’s kids are producing a great amount of quality art and the virtual world can help them earn money while in school,” Hirsch said. “For students from disadvantaged backgrounds, the ability to leverage NFTs to earn an income could mean they could break the cycle of generational poverty for their families.”

Hirsch’s foray into tech development wasn’t that different from what he hopes to create for today’s students. His interest in virtual reality was sparked while playing VRChat and watching the movie Ready Player One with his brother. The budding technophile quickly applied his programming skills into the world of sports betting, earning the title of the most accurate sports handicapper in the history of college football. It also helped him earn money for college.

Three years ago, Hirsch enrolled in Lynn’s sports management program. He has since segued to online delivery to help balance his course load with his professional endeavors, and he often applies his class work to his role at Mozverse. Hirsch also regularly leans on his professors for advice on career moves, creating achievable business plans and networking with the right contacts.

“I was going to wait to start my business, but everyone around me encouraged me to start now,” he said. “It’s never too early to launch your career, especially when combined with what you learn while in college.”

While Hirsch continues to build his professional identity, the young entrepreneur has embraced Lynn’s commitment to global stewardship, social responsibility, lifelong volunteerism and engaged activism. He was particularly inspired by Be Like Brit, a charity held near and dear by the Lynn community. Determined to make a difference, Hirsch traveled to Haiti with Space of Mind to serve the education system and build homes for underprivileged families. In a recent visit to New York, he was recognized by Les Couleurs Charity with a certificate of honor for his contributions.

“He’s the real deal and he doesn’t forget where he came from,” said Kaufman. “He’s wildly successful, yet still the same person.”

With such high ambitions, there’s no telling where Hirsch’s journey will take him next. Whether he’s recording a hit podcast with rap legend and 2023 Grammy performer Jadakiss, creating content for his active social media audience or advocating for quality education worldwide, Hirsch continues to recognize his potential and take on every opportunity and challenge that comes his way.