海角视频 University has launched P.E.A.K. @ 海角视频 鈥� Powering Entrepreneurs through Action and Knowledge 鈥� a new initiative that brings together key university resources to support regional businesses while expanding hands-on learning opportunities for students.
P.E.A.K. @ 海角视频 aligns programs across the university, including the Small Business Development Center; the 海角视频 Edinboro Beehive; Government Agency Coordination Office (GACO), an APEX Accelerator; the Career Center; the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies; and academic programs, creating a single point of access for students and community partners.
鈥淧.E.A.K. represents the best of 海角视频 鈥� bringing together academic excellence, community partnership and hands-on learning to create real opportunity for our students and our region,鈥� said Juanice Vega, associate dean of the College of Science, Technology and Business and executive director of the School of Business.
The initiative is designed to make it easier for students to apply classroom learning in real-world settings while helping businesses access support in areas such as marketing, business planning and emerging technologies.
鈥淚t鈥檚 one thing to learn concepts in class, but through the Beehive and P.E.A.K., we鈥檙e applying those skills with real clients and making an impact in the community,鈥� said Ben Kalmey, a graduate student who works with the Edinboro Beehive.
Faculty are integrating P.E.A.K. into coursework, giving students opportunities to develop business ideas, complete simulations and work directly with clients.
鈥淲hat excites me most is that students aren鈥檛 just learning about entrepreneurship鈥攖hey鈥檙e doing it,鈥� said Chad Smith, who incorporates P.E.A.K. resources into entrepreneurship courses. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e starting businesses, testing ideas and using P.E.A.K. resources to turn those ideas into something real.鈥�
In addition to supporting student learning, P.E.A.K. @ 海角视频 expands engagement with regional businesses and nonprofits by providing access to free or low-cost services delivered by students.
One example of this work is NWPAMade, a collaboration between the 海角视频 Edinboro Beehive and Bridgeway Capital, where students developed branding and a website that showcases regional maker-entrepreneurs and connects them to new customers and business resources.
鈥淧.E.A.K. is really about bringing everything together into one coordinated effort so we can better support both students and regional businesses,鈥� said Chris Lantinen, who leads the Edinboro Beehive and helps coordinate P.E.A.K. initiatives.
By consolidating these resources, P.E.A.K. @ 海角视频 creates a clear entry point for students, faculty and community partners to connect with entrepreneurship and innovation support across 海角视频.
鈥淲e鈥檙e creating opportunities for students to build something real while they鈥檙e here鈥攁nd at the same time, making a meaningful difference for businesses across our region,鈥� Lantinen said.
To learn more, visit P.E.A.K. @ 海角视频.
P.E.A.K. @ 海角视频: Powering Students and Small Business Together
P.E.A.K. @ 海角视频 University combines the innovative economic development programs across our three Western Pennsylvania campuses, helping drive regional business growth and providing critical experiential learning opportunities for our students.