Year in Review

RE-CONNECTING: New Tradition Formed with Alumni Day

Under a brilliant May sun, a trio of young alumni tossed around a bean bag on the Quad, relaxing and sharing stories in proximity to a futuristic glass structure, new since their time as students.

“I had never seen this building before,” said Christopher Montero ’18 of the Center for Engineering, Innovation and Sciences (CEIS). “It’s amazing, and it’s part of the recent changes that I wanted to find on campus.”

Montero and his friends, Shirshak Sharma ’18 and Andy Tenhagan ’18, had returned to attend Wentworth Institute of Technology’s inaugural Alumni Day, which featured multiple tours and hands-on demonstrations, academic information sessions, a cocktail reception, and a special luncheon that brought back student-athletes for the Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony.

The group on the Quad had come from the Breakfast with the Deans event and several informational sessions before heading outside for lawn games. Each was eager to see firsthand how their alma mater had progressed, as well as reconnect with friends.

“It’s been fun to see the changes, and I really wanted to hear more about future plans,” said Sharma.

RE-EMERGING: Accelerate

With the Wentworth community back for a new semester and a fresh cohort of students discovering on-campus programming, Accelerate is in the midst of a renaissance.

Steered by new Executive Director Ashley Lucas, as well as Associate Provost for Transformational Learning and Partnerships Susan Duffy and Lab Technician Tory Lam ’14, Wentworth’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center has re-emerged from a quiet period during the pandemic to once again being a prominent force on campus, available to all who have an idea.

The group is launching new programs—including an introduction to entrepreneurship series, a Rapid Pitch Competition, and Maker Days—and made available an array of tools including laser cutters, 3D printers, sewing equipment, a full woodshop, spray paint booth, and a host of prototyping materials, all at no extra cost.

“Accelerate helps bring your ideas to life, and we’re open to everyone joining,” said Duffy.

Accelerate additionally created the inaugural entrepreneur-in-residence position, occupied by Logic Founder/CEO Michael Santora ’05. Santora—also a University Advisor—works directly with students on campus as they build the Logic robot as part of a capstone project, and he is serving as an advisor for all students involved in Accelerate who are looking to take their innovations to the next level.

“Accelerate is not just a plan to come up with ideas, it’s a plan to be able to try things in the real world,” Santora said. “I hope to bring a mix of business and technical expertise, and help students figure out viable ways to bring ideas to market.”

$2 Million Gift Launches Accelerate Co-op Experience

Entrepreneurship is one of the power skills of the 21st century. Like technological literacy and critical thinking, entrepreneurship—the ability to see what is, what could be, and how to get from point A to point B—has rapidly become a necessary skill for college graduates.

As part of its commitment to high-value learning and a high ROI for graduates, the university, in partnership with the Accelerate team, is creating opportunities for students to build confidence and competencies around this valuable skillset. For interested students, the Accelerate Co-op Experience, or ACE, will activate their entrepreneurial potential as early as their sophomore year.

Launching this new program was made possible through a generous $2 million gift from the PDB Foundation, which was inspired by the success of their previous gift to support an entrepreneurial co-op experience for rising seniors.

RE-NEWING: The Wentworth Dining Experience

When students arrived on campus this fall, they were greeted with new sights and smells in a renewed Beatty Dining Commons. The renovated space features foodie favorites Sal’s Pizza, The Huntington Ave Grille, and Fenway Greens alongside new additions: a dessert station, all-day breakfast, and a designated allergen/ gluten-free zone.

The renovations represent Phase II of an ongoing project that has included student interns and multiple co-ops. Designed by Beacon Architects and built by Elaine Construction, the dining improvements represent Wentworth’s commitment to providing a truly transformative student experience based on community feedback.

“I like being able to grab whatever I like instead of having to wait and pay separately. I think it’s a lot easier and more enjoyable. -- Matt '25

“We’ve created more of a student-centered space,” said Director of Purchasing and Auxiliary Services Thomas Kane. “The dining commons will have a wider

variety of seating options with more available phone charging, as well as ambient contemporary music and TVs playing local channels. We will also feature the Ben Garfink Lounge, an adjacent lounge space for commuters and non-diners to hang out and be a part of the Beatty experience.”

The new layout is a lot cleaner and a lot more open. It makes it feel so much bigger. -- Amanda ’25

RE-THINKING: The Student Experience

Wentworth continues to take steps to improve the student experience in every way, including for those who may become future students. The following are a few examples of our commitment to student success and retention.

Success Studio

The Center for Academic Excellence was enhanced to become the Success Studio this year with a new home in Beatty Hall. One central hub now offers tutoring and academic support, first-year and transfer student advising, and student accessibility services.

Additionally, the Who Can Help? portal launched at whocanhelp.wit.edu and in the MyWentworth app, providing one easy location to find resources—including those in the Success Studio—related to a variety of topics.

ImpactLab

ImpactLab is an innovative two-week residential summer experience for rising juniors and seniors in high school. The immersive learning program provides students a chance to explore their passions in science, engineering, and design through Wentworth faculty and student mentors. The most recent session—held this summer— hosted 80 students from 15 different states and one student from Japan.

At the end of the session, a high school participant named Neil C. offered, “I thought my classes were really cool! I enjoyed my interactions with my professor, and it furthered my interest in architecture.” And student

Jocelyn R. said, “My favorite part was the social aspect. It felt like everyone was friendly with each other and I appreciated that community.”

New Wellness Center

The Center for Wellness moved out of its basement location and into the highly visible second floor of Wentworth Hall, a space previously occupied by the President’s Office. The new location features a bright, welcoming area with modern furniture and dedicated areas for counseling services, which students can utilize without insurance. The Center also offers crisis intervention services and a 24/7 phone support line for students during off hours.

“I think the more we can do around prevention and providing resources for students, and the treatment they need early,” said Associate Dean of Health and Wellness Maura Mulligan, “[the more] it allows them to persist at Wentworth and graduate and be successful.”