Project GROW

An eHIVE Supported Entrepreneurial Learning Lab

The newest collaborative learning lab launching through the award-winning eHIVE is Project GROW. What began as a remote service project during the pandemic is now an official learning lab under the Entrepreneurial Leadership Program.

Through Project GROW, students have a unique opportunity to step beyond their comfort zones and provide service connected to their area of study. Project GROW seeks to provide holistic ministry and empower a remote village community nestled high in the mountains of the Dominican Republic.

About the Project

During the middle of the pandemic, a Social Entrepreneurship class, led by eHIVE Director Cassy Dorsch, completed a virtual service project and provided remote business basic workshops to the leaders of a women's association in the Dominican Republic.

Since then, in partnership with the Center for Service Leadership, there have been two in-person service trips (2024 and 2025) that have been open to all students of any major. These trips have provided holistic ministry to an underserved village community located high in the Dominican mountains. Following the March 2025 spring break trip, students in a Creativity & Innovation class developed new business ideas that the community could develop into startup businesses.

After these class projects and service trips, it became apparent that the momentum of this project is not slowing down. In Spring 2025, the Entrepreneurial Leadership Program deepened the vision and stability of the project by naming it an eHIVE supported learning lab, offering both curricular and co-curricular engagement for service-leadership and redemptive entrepreneurship. This village empowerment project is offering both real-world learning and impact.

Service

Students provide service related to their area of study. From business and entrepreneurship students teaching workshops, to education majors serving in the local school, to Biblical ministry students meeting with pastors, Project GROW supports unique service learning opportunities that are educationally aligned and skill-based.

Staff, students and the Dominican women's group prepare for a Shark Tank Pitch event during the 2024 service trip.

During the 2024 service trip, students and community members walked through the Design Thinking Process and brainstormed startup ideas. One idea that emerged was starting a soap business. In 2025, staff and students provided instruction and supplies to make soap, with the goal of developing a soap business.

The first batch of soap overcame many hurdles such as sourcing raw materials (i.e. goat's milk), finding electricity in a church still being rebuilt after a recent hurricane and postponing the lesson due to rain. This soap was a collaborative effort of the whole team and made with a lot of love.

A mini "Something From Nothing Challenge" was held at a local school to encourage children to think outside the box and create something out of nothing.

The women's group has waited for a long time for their own property. Students had the joy of assisting them with the installation of a new fence line on their new property.

Group of students pose while building a new fence line for residents

During the spring 2025 trip, students introduced soap and jewelry making to a women's association to spur startup business growth; connected with local churches and schools through outdoor activities and projects; and assisted with fencing in a new property for the women's group.

Faith

During each trip, students have the opportunity to share their faith with each other and others in the Dominican Republic through church services and impromptu worship gatherings.

Ross Owens sharing morning devotion with our student team at the Meeting God in Missions guesthouse.

Students Ross Owens and Tyler Mohrbacher had the unique opportunity to meet with a group of local Dominican pastors. They were joined by Dr. Mike Haddox, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. The Dominican pastors shared that recently hope was stirring in their community, as eight local churches had been joining together in prayer and worship over the past several months.

Students during morning worship at Meeting God in Missions guesthouse.

Diana Hernandez and Ross Owens leading a worship service at a local Dominican church service.

Just a few hours after returning home in the middle of the night, several student participants and staff surprised Dr. Mike Haddox by attending First Presbyterian Church in Waynesburg for Sunday morning worship. Beginning this year, First Presbyterian Church is an official partner with Project GROW.

Natalie Double helps build a new fence line on the spring 2025 trip

Natalie Double shares her experience on the spring 2025 trip to the Dominican Republic through Project GROW. Read how the trip made an impact on her life and how she has grown both in her faith and through serving others.

Planting seeds of faith: an initial impression of the Dominican Republic

Planting seeds of faith: a week of service and opportunities

Planting seeds of faith: music is all around us

Growth

Serving as part of Project GROW allows students to experience transformative growth through faith, learning and service.

Serving in the Dominican Republic: Project GROW Spring 2024 and 2025

Entrepreneurial Leadership Program

Waynesburg University's award-winning Entrepreneurial Leadership Program focuses on the study and practice of entrepreneurship in an academic setting through a major in the Department of Business Administration and a cross-campus minor.

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eHIVE

Learn more about Waynesburg University's new space for its Entrepreneurial Hub for Innovative Ventures and Endeavors (eHIVE).

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Project GROW

Project GROW

An eHIVE Supported Entrepreneurial Learning Lab

Project GROW 2025 | When Ideas Become Reality