2023-24 Entrepreneurial Leadership Annual Report by Waynesburg University

Awards & Recognition

The eHIVE was named Outstanding Emerging Entrepreneurship Center by the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC), Fall 2023. This award honors an entrepreneurship center that is five years or less and measures the center’s objectives, engagement, program portfolio and metrics.

The Entrepreneurial Leadership Program was honored for Excellence in Student Engagement in Entrepreneurship at the 2024 Desphande Symposium, Spring 2024 Our program was also recognized for Excellence in Curriculum Innovation - Rising Star at the Deshpande Symposium, Spring 2022.

Mindy Walls, Chair of Entrepreneurial Leadership, was named Justin G. Longenecker Fellow by the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE), Spring 2024. This award is the highest recognition that USASBE gives to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the development, furtherance and benefit of small and medium businesses.

eHIVE Grand Open

- Feb. 16, 2024

“The eHIVE represents the next chapter in preparing Waynesburg University students for their vocational goals by continuing to grow a culture of entrepreneurship and thereby permitting them to more fully develop the essential skills of problemsolving, critical and analytical thinking”

“We want every student, regardless of their major, to have an opportunity to learn the mindset and skillset, not only to identify problems in the community, but to take the steps in order to solve them.” - Mindy Walls, Stover Chair of Entrepreneurial Leadership ClicktoView

- University President Douglas Lee

Our new Shop is a versatile work area that allows us to develop an idea from concept to launch. Designed as a wood shop, mobile equipment carts allow the space to be reconfigured for various uses Our award-winning Plastics to Progress class utilized the space after opening, and it transformed what students could create The space is heavily used for plastic recycling & innovation

Our new, state-of-the-art Makerspace allows students to take classes to learn how to use the equipment, producing their own products. Our Makerspace also allowed us to open our microindustry, which adds a new revenue stream to our program.

Services Available: Apparel Printing, Laser Cutting & Engraving, Prototyping, Vinyl Printing (Stickers, Clings, Signage, Banners), 3-D Printing, and More!

Our new Classroom allows various classes to be held focused on innovation and entrepreneurship Holding space for 20 students, the classroom allows students to meet regularly while utilizing the makerspace and shop, just footsteps away Any entrepreneurially focused classes, including those taught by our faculty fellows, are able to be held in the space. The classroom is also a favorite location for our events, like our Shark Tank Series

A special thank you to the kindness of the generous donors who made this project possible!

Professor Heisey’s New Role: Chief Maker

“This year, I had the honor of being appointed the Chief Maker of the Entrepreneurial Leadership Program at the eHIVE. In this role, I assist students in bringing their product ideas to life using the state-ofthe-art facilities and equipment in our makerspace and woodshop. Students come to the eHIVE with a vision, and I have the privilege of helping them transform those concepts into tangible creations

“Utilizing 3D printing technology, students have designed everything from unique kitchen utensils to innovative car accessories and custom guitar bodies. Our CNC machine has enabled them to craft intricately detailed wooden step stools and recycled plastic pickleball paddles. The woodshop has truly been a game changer, facilitating large-scale projects that were previously out of reach.

“It’s incredible to see how the new eHIVE empowers students from across campus to explore and innovate in unexpected ways, and I’m thrilled to guide them on their journey of creation.” - Professor Heisey

Entrepreneurial Leadership Program

Create a culture of proactive, innovative, ethical problem solving which will provide Waynesburg University students with the skills, abilities, experiences, and knowledge they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

OurVision

Venturing

Innovative Problem-Solving

Entrepreneurial Mindset

Classroom

eHIVE

The eHIVE is our co-curricular innovative hub, open to all students regardless of major

MAKERSPACE

Prototype,Innovate&Create Studentscanexploreour3-D printers,laserengraver,vinyl, apparelprinting,&more! Letusmakeitforyouthrough ourmicro-productionservices

MAJOR & MINOR

StudyThroughHands-On Learning:Entrepreneurship MajororEntrepreneurial Leadershipminor,housedin theDepartmentofBusiness Administration

ENTREPRENEURIAL ENDEAVORS

Events,Competitions &Programming

StartupCoachingforBusiness &Non-Profits

STUDENT LEARNING LAB

WU'sofficialon-campus apparelstore

NEST

The Nest is our student learning lab & WU’s official apparel spirit store

Studentoperated&managed Experientiallearningin&outof theclassroom

Faculty Fellows

Trainedinthe entrepreneurial mindset,facultyfellows infuseinnovative principlesacross campus.

Programming High i

This year our co-curricular programming continued to provide experiences in the Entrepreneurial Mindset, Innovative Problem-Solving, and Venturing. We saw more venture growth than ever before for our students. Specifically, this year: We worked to change a policy that restricted student businesses on campus. We launched our eHIVE Approved Student Business program in Fall 2023, which increased our coaching & venturing;

The eHIVE’s Shark Tank Series allowed for startup funding & fostered idea generation; Our new Makerspace allowed for students to craft new products in the space; Our Pumpkin Drop Competition allowed for students to flex their creative problem-solving skills;

The Stover Writing Competition highlighted ethical business leaders & founders; and Holiday Villages & Marketplaces gave students the opportunity for real-world sales & customer discovery

Shark Tank Competition

1stPlace:SadieMink,SadieJade Photography$1,250

Stover Writing Competition

1stPlace:RachelDavis -2ndSam9,$500

2ndPlace&FanFav:JohnTastingerII& ChrisBarrish,TakeoverHoopReport$1,250

3rdPlace:ZachReed,SpencerGigante, AndresRojas, PicklefromPlastic$500

2ndPlace:Seth Robertson-COO&Jubilee,$400

3rdPlace:RachelBaily-MichaelBaily &BailyInsuranceAgency,$300

Project GROW

March 2024: A team of 18 visited the village for a week-long trip. The trip was through the eHIVE, Center for Service Leadership and Meeting God in Missions.

We partnered with:

A local elementary school & ministered through Bible stories, sports, and crafts Association of Women for a Better Future

Offered Startup Coaching Taught Design Thinking Process

Worked to identify problems and potential solutions

Startup Ideas: Chocolate Company Soap Business

In this small, remote village, 300-400 people live nestled high in the Dominican mountains.

The community leaders are working to create a better future for their children and grandchildren.

This community lives in extreme poverty and struggles with access to clean water, transportation, education, and other basic necessities.

When someone is living in poverty, they are in survival mode and do not have the luxury to dream. Through Project GROW, these women are dreaming and are change agents in their community - Cassy Dorsch, Trip Leader

Our Goal:

Foster economic development through redemptive entrepreneurship and holistic ministry to the village of Loma Larga, Dominican Republic

Working with Project GROW, Liliane Portman first assisted the project as a student in Professor Dorsch’s Social Entrepreneurship class and then as an intern. She had the opportunity to return as a University staff trip leader and was able to meet the women, and teach them in-person.

Entrepreneurial Leadership Scholars

Sadie Mink (‘24)

Reginald

Branson (‘25)

Hudson

Pincavitch (‘26)

Morgan

Bedilion (‘27)

Dane Jones (‘27)

Nicole Veychek (‘27)

SADIE MINK

Being an eHIVE Scholar taught me the importance of building a community around you through entrepreneurship. By building local relationships, you can learn about the needs of a community and find creative ways to serve them best!

Graduating in May 2024, Sadie Mink is the first graduating student from our scholar program. As an Interdisciplinary Studies major, she studied Entrepreneurial Leadership & Digital Design From serving our local Girl Scouts troop to visiting the Dominican Republic and leading business workshops, Sadie has made quite an impact. In addition to being a leader in our scholar program, she also won 1st Place in the eHIVE’s Shark Tank Series and received $1,250 toward her startup business Sadie Jade Photography

APPROVED STUDENT BUSINESS

Simply Stitched by Riley

Riley Grecco

Worldluv

Jemuel Cypress

K&D Creations

Diana Gurecka & Kelley Courtwright

Reggie's Car Detailing

Reginald Branson

Maylee's Crochet

Maylee Vandermark

Z. Creations

Izabell Montani

Sadie Jade Photography

Sadie Mink

Little Moments Media

Rachel Little

After working to change a policy that restricted student businesses on campus, we were able to launch our Approved Student Business program this past year. We are excited to announce that we now have eight Approved Student Businesses operating on campus. These students can set up pop-up shops on campus, sell during marketplaces, sell at the Nest, and more Students can also receive free one-on-one startup coaching.

WorldLuv is a streetwear brand centered around bringing positivity through creativity, while providing designer clothing at an affordable price. Founder: Jemuel Cypress, Class of 2025

The impact that the eHIVE has had on my business Worldluv can’t be measured quantifiably. It is an invaluable experience to have assistance and direction while not only running a business but growing it as well.

- Jemuel

Jemuel Cypress

Entrepreneurial Mindset

In the Classroom

Professor Leichliter-Krause’s Creativity, Theory, and Practice Course provided her students with a real-world client experience. Working with their client, Kitchen Joint, the class utilized the design thinking process and work-based learning to develop product ideas for the client’s store.

ofessor Carlisle’s Accounting Course p our Makerspace’s ancials & had a visit m CFO Laura Coss and Director of counting, Jessica Tkach.

Course Highlight: Plastics to Progress

Our Award Winning Course, Plastics to Progress, taught by Professor Heisey & Professor Walls was transformed with our new makerspace

Student Group Pickle from Plastic innovated recycled plastics into Pickleball Paddles, moving through the Customer Discovery Process to sales in one semester. They also won 3rd Place in the eHIVE’s Shark Tank Competition.

Entrepreneurship in Action in Paul R. Stewart Science Hall

After returning from an entrepreneurship conference at Babson College, Dr. Baldauff dedicated a whole series to the Entrepreneurial Mindset with students in her Inorganic Chemistry Lab.

In Dr Paladino’s Introduction to Environmental Science, students explored the relationship of circular economies to circular entrepreneurship. Students were given the role of circular entrepreneurs in building construction, agriculture, fashion, digital marketplaces and plastics production to create innovative ways to decrease waste and reuse materials produced by these industrial processes.

What began as a dream became a reality as more and more products for the Nest are now produced on campus in the eHIVE’s Makerspace.

This year, the Nest grew in exciting ways thanks to the launch of its own website, a project spearheaded by Karlee Anderson, Graduate Assistant for the Nest

The Nest Learning Lab

As a Learning Lab, the Nest looks to include classes and students in every aspect of the store, from marketing and pop-ups to inventory and photo shoots. This year Professor Carlisle’s Managerial Accounting class helped the Nest with its inventory, giving students a real-world experience right on campus.

Students also took part in a Nest photo shoot and are involved in every aspect from the store, from management to the product development process

Raelyn Bowser

Raelyn has served the Nest as a Sales Associate, Stude Intern. As a key team member, she has taken over lead spearheaded many of our Nest pop-up events. She also assisted with Commencement, and for those of you who recently graduated, she most likely packed your regalia! She graduated in May 2024 majoring in Business Administration.

My time at The Nest offered invaluable hands-on experience in a professional setting, where I honed skills in project management, communication, and problem-solving. On a personal level, these opportunities significantly boosted my confidence and reinforced my belief in my ability to tackle challenges head-on. - Raelyn

Goals

Review of 2023 - 2024 Year:

Ourobjectivesforoursixthyear(2023-2024)wereto: GrowacademicopportunitiesthroughtheEntrepreneurialLeadership Program; Incorporateourlearninglabintomorecoursesacrosscampus; Growexternalengagement;and Growco-curricularopportunitiescampus-wide.

Inourpreviousreport,wegavespecificexamplesoutlininghowwewouldmeet thesegoalsandwearehappytoreportwemetourmaingoalsaboveandall smallergoalsexceptone:ProfessionalizeTraining&PolicyDevelopment throughtheNest.Thiswasduetoconflictsinschedulingandforthenextyear, wehavealreadyadjustedstorehourstomakethisatoppriority.

Looking Forward to Year 7 (2024 - 2025)

Meet Our Team

MINDY WALLS

W ROBERT STOVER CHAIR OF ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP

“What a great year! We celebrated our 5th anniversary, moved into our fabulous new space, and capped it off with a national award for student engagement from the Deshpande Symposium. It was a dream come true to be able to work with students taking an idea from concept, through manufacturing to sales in our product development coursePlastics to Progress ”

CASSY DORSCH

DIRECTOR OF THE EHIVE & NEST

“This year has been a year of tremendous growth and change as we received national awards, celebrated our fifth year, and opened our incredible new center. When I thought it couldn't get any better, I had the highlight of my career when I led students on the Project GROW trip We visited the same village and people I met a decade ago as a senior at Waynesburg and have been empowering remotely since 2021 What a blessing and joy!”

ANDREW HEISEY CHIEF MAKER

“I often tell visitors to the eHIVE, ‘We have the equipment, but we need students to come with ideas ’ I know how to use the manufacturing tools, yet the students often surprise me with a concept they want to design Things I would have never thought to make The students make this place come alive as they have a place to make their ideas come into being ”

KARLEE ANDERSON

GRADUATE ASSISTANT

FOR THE NEST

“This past year has been incredibly exciting as we launched our online website for the Nest, our on-campus apparel store, expanding our reach and providing students with hands-on experience in e-commerce It’s been rewarding to guide them through the process, watching their skills grow and seeing the impact of our work extend beyond the campus ”

ASHLEY YATES

SECRETARY

“Knowing my passion for photography, I was able to participate in the creation of the Nest website by taking and editing the product photos The University's photography space contains everything an amateur to professional photographer would need to create stunning photography I enjoyed working with the students on this project!”