SMITHFIELD
– Kristie DeJesus, formerly the senior director of innovation and entrepreneurship at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, will spearhead Bryant University's efforts to foster its own central resource for on-campus innovation.
DeJesus will serve as the inaugural director of Bryant's Center for Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking, the university announced on Tuesday, which is set to open this academic year. The center will act as a driving force behind a larger Bryant initiative: the university's new Business Entrepreneurship Leadership Center.
"The center will serve as a hub for creativity and collaboration, offering a platform for students to transform their ideas into viable ventures,” DeJesus said in a statement.
In announcing DeJesus as the center's first director, Bryant described the upcoming university resource as "a regional catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurial excellence in New England and beyond."
"This is an incredible opportunity to work alongside a passionate team committed to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs," DeJesus said in a statement. "Our goal is to create a vibrant ecosystem where students, faculty, staff and industry leaders can collaborate, innovate and drive meaningful change."
This vision includes "industry-specific resources and funding to inspire, educate, connect, and accelerate entrepreneurs within the Bryant community," the Bryant announcement states, such as mentorship programs, workshops, networking events and other opportunities for hands-on, "real world" experience.
Bryant chose DeJesus for her strong experience in building these efforts, the university stated, noting that she developed and oversaw a stakeholder engagement strategy, and built partnerships that fostered "an inclusive environment that nurtures innovate thinking ad creative problem solving" during her time at WPI.
DeJesus holds a master's degree in operations and information technology from WPI, a bachelor's in manufacturing engineering from Boston University, and is currently studying for a master's in education at Worcester State University.
In a statement, Bryant president Ross Gittell said that the university is "delighted to welcome Kristie to Bryant and are confident that her expertise and passion will contribute to the success of our bold Vision 2030 priorities."
"The Center for Entrepreneurship is one of the flagship spaces at Bryant's new Business Entrepreneurship Leadership Center," Gittell said. "There, students will hatch ideas, launch ventures, and develop the critical skills to succeed in business and beyond."
Jacquelyn Voghel is a PBN staff writer. You may reach her at Voghel@PBN.com.
