News
New partnership expands entrepreneurial pathways for GVSU computing students
June 04, 2025
Grand Valley State University’s (GVSU) College of Computing and The
Mitten Project took a major step forward in supporting student and
faculty innovation with the official signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) today. The event, held at the DeVos Center of
Interprofessional Health on GVSU’s City Campus, gathered college
leadership, industry partners, and members of the regional
entrepreneurial community to celebrate this new collaboration.
The three-year agreement outlines a shared commitment between the
College and The Mitten Project to provide mentorship, resources, and
experiential learning opportunities for students and faculty
interested in launching startups or developing innovative
technologies. This collaboration is part of Computing Horizons, the
College of Computing’s growing initiative that has been implemented
into our curriculum to expand entrepreneurship, experiential learning,
and industry engagement across its programs. Through workshops,
training, networking events, and project incubation, the partnership
will serve as a catalyst for entrepreneurial growth on campus and beyond.
Dean of the College of Computing, Marouane Kessentini, spoke to
the significance of the collaboration, noting: “Experiential learning
goes beyond internships and class projects — it must also include
opportunities in entrepreneurship and research, and ideally, where the
two intersect. Entrepreneurship is essential in preparing our students
to lead in today’s fast-evolving tech landscape. This partnership with
The Mitten Project opens new doors for students to transform their
ideas into real-world impact, engage directly with industry leaders
and entrepreneurs, and help fuel innovation and job creation across
our region.”
In support of making entrepreneurship a truly interdisciplinary
opportunity, Shorouq Almallah, Director of the Richard M. and Helen
DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation in GVSU’s Seidman
College of Business, is working closely with College of Computing
leadership and students to provide the entrepreneurial mindset,
background, and business acumen that complement technical innovation.
This interdisciplinary partnership will empower students from
computing and business to collaborate and develop well-rounded ventures.
Jennifer Wangler, Vice President of Technology at The Right Place
and a key leader within The Mitten Project, emphasized the opportunity
this partnership brings to the Greater Grand Rapids entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“There is real magic in the power of a strong network,” said
Wangler. “By being intentional about creating communities of support,
we can empower the next generation of entrepreneurs and help them
bring new ideas to life here in Greater Grand Rapids.”
“Our goal is to support the growth of tech startups across
Greater Grand Rapids by providing the resources, mentorship and
connections they need to get started and succeed locally,” said Yulia
Chiaburu, Co-founder of The Mitten Project and GVSU Alumni. “Helping
prospective tech founders and students navigate the local tech
eco-system and making purposeful connections to experienced mentors,
accelerator programs, funding sources, and opportunities at venture
studios will enable entrepreneurs and students to get started quicker.”
Today’s signing is the start of a public debut of this initiative
during The Right Place’s Tech Week: Grand Rapids, a regional
celebration of innovation and technology leadership. As part of the
week’s programming, the College of Computing will host a Computing
Horizons event on Thursday, September 18, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in
the Seidman Forum on GVSU’s City Campus. The event will highlight the
College’s three experiential learning pathways: entrepreneurship,
internships, and research. Students pursuing the entrepreneurial
pathway will present startup concepts in a Shark Tank format to a
panel of executives and industry leaders.
As the partnership moves forward, students and faculty can expect
new avenues for startup incubation, industry networking, and hands-on
entrepreneurial learning that complement the College’s academic strengths.
Written by Shelby Harrison.