This August, the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (E&I) proudly launched our inaugural Entrepreneurship and Innovation Pre-Orientation program. Designed to integrate incoming students into ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’s entrepreneurial ecosystem from the moment they step onto campus, the five-day experience provided an immediate opportunity for first-years to immerse themselves in hands-on innovation activities, form lasting friendships, and join the vibrant E&I community.
Led by Weiner Family Entrepreneur in Residence Jen Martin alongside student peer advisors Geordie Waldman ’27 and Sophie Martin ’27, our inaugural cohort of nine first-year students jumped right into experiential sprints, ecosystem exploration, and team-building challenges.
Innovation in Action: Sprints, Makerspaces, and ... Dino Nuggets?
Throughout the week, students put their creative problem-solving skills to the test in interactive environments across campus and the local community, from campus makerspaces to a local pottery studio.
This lunchtime activity was a prime example: a fast-paced, Chopped-style culinary challenge designed to test teamwork under pressure. Teams collaborated to craft creative dishes using a limited set of mystery ingredients. Guest judges Kelly Springer MS, RD, CDN (nutritionist and entrepreneur) and Carolyn Strobel-Larsen (Director of E&I) evaluated the final creations. Taking top honors? An inventive take on comfort food: dino nugget sliders featuring cheese-toasted buns, spicy prune jam, and Brussels sprout slaw.
Connecting with the Regional Ecosystem
A core pillar of the pre-orientation program was introducing students to the broader Central New York entrepreneurial landscape. The group traveled to New Berlin for a behind-the-scenes tour of Chobani’s manufacturing facility with Senior Community Impact Manager Donald Brown. Hearing how Chobani scaled from a five-person startup into a $20B+ industry leader offered invaluable lessons for our incoming students, emphasizing the importance of investing in people, giving back to the local community, and creating a truly differentiated product.
In Syracuse, students experienced two distinct models of regional innovation. At CenterState CEO’s INSPYRE Innovation Hub, CEO Rob Simpson ’97 shared how the organization accelerates venture growth across Central New York. Put directly into the shoes of regional leaders, our students worked through real-world business challenges on how to maximize the hub's impact before pitching their solutions directly to Vice President of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Craig Witmer. Just down the road, the group visited Salt City Market, a vibrant nonprofit food hall and public market that supports emerging food entrepreneurs.
Building the Next Generation of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Entrepreneurs
By the end of the program, participants had not only explored the surrounding region but also established foundational relationships with classmates, upperclass student leaders, staff, and alumni. Most importantly, they left inspired to stay involved with Thought Into Action (TIA) and E&I programming throughout their four years at ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø.
As one incoming first-year participant shared: “I really liked how much we got to do and see. It made me feel a lot more ready for ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø. It showed me what TIA is, and now I really want to join.â€
Reflecting on the success of the program, Weiner Family Entrepreneur in Residence Jen Martin noted: “The pre-orientation was amazing. From the students who applied to our peer advisors, site visits, and the professors, mentors, and alumni who volunteered their time, every part of the experience was a true reflection of why you chose ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø. It’s not just about what you learn, but who you learn alongside and the community supporting you every step of the way. It was a blast, and I can’t wait for next year!â€
We are deeply grateful to our alumni, guest speakers, and regional partners who opened their doors and shared their expertise with our incoming students. Thanks to your continued support, programs like this ensure that innovation at ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø starts the moment students step on campus.