Nine Waynesburg University students attended the recent Entrepreneurial Leadership Council (ELC) Social Innovation Challenge on Feb. 25 and 26 in Southpointe. The topic of discussion was anxiety found in college students and how to reduce it.
I think that the ELC Innovation Weekend offered a unique opportunity to partner together to tackle a social issue that we can all connect to – mental health and wellness challenges on college campuses.”
“This inter-collegiate social innovation challenge offered Waynesburg students the opportunity to network, collaborate and dream,” said Chaley Knight, assistant director of the University’s Counseling Center. “The challenge to create an innovation that could positively impact the mental health of today's college student was refreshing, especially as a professional counselor working at Waynesburg University.”
Waynesburg students were paired with students from other schools to formulate plans and discuss ideas. This also allowed them the opportunity to network with other schools, entrepreneurial leaders and industry leaders.
Two Waynesburg students, Cheyanne Forson and Liliane Portman, were on the challenge-winning team. Their team developed “The U-Nitiative,” which demonstrated creating community and belonging to all campuses for all students.
“I think that the ELC Innovation Weekend offered a unique opportunity to partner together to tackle a social issue that we can all connect to – mental health and wellness challenges on college campuses,” said Cassy Dorsch, director of the eHive at Waynesburg University.
Students participating from Waynesburg University included:
- Mia Baranowski, a senior forensic investigation major from Chalk Hill, Pennsylvania
- Cheyanne Forson, a senior biology pre-med major from Buchanan, Virginia
- Sadie Mink, a junior interdisciplinary studies major from Hadley, Pennsylvania
- Elyse Morgan, a senior entertainment and arts management major from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
- Hudson Pincavitch, a freshman finance major from Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
- Liliane Portman, graduate assistant and master of business administration (international marketing) student from Roaming Shores, Ohio
- Amanda Rine, a freshman business management major from Moundsville, West Virginia
- Guillermo Samudio, a junior entrepreneurial studies major from Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
- McKensie Sanders, a junior forensic investigation major from Martinsburg, West Virginia
“I hope that Waynesburg students walked away from the ELC Innovation Weekend recognizing that their thoughts, ideas, insights and life experiences can be catalysts to future innovations that could impact the world in unimaginable ways,” Knight said.
Dorsch noted that students in today’s world have a different perspective on anxiety and stress.
“Students graduating this year were freshmen when the pandemic started, and students today have experienced unprecedented changes during their college experiences,” she said.
At Waynesburg University, students have access to caring, skillful, free and confidential counseling services. The University’s Counseling Center provides academic, personal and career counseling to University students. Personal counseling is available for a range of topics, including depression, anxiety, grieving and other concerns. Students can learn more or request counseling services online at Waynesburg.edu/counselingcenter.
The eHIVE at Waynesburg University
The eHIVE at Waynesburg University is the extra-curricular innovative hub of the University’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program. Its vision is to create a culture of proactive, innovative, ethical, problem solving which will provide Waynesburg University students with the skills, abilities and experiences they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
