Eight students participate in social innovation challenge

Eight Westminster College students participated in the Entrepreneurship Leadership Council (ELC) Social Innovation Challenge Weekend on Feb. 25 and 26 at Loft Conference Center in Southpointe, Pa.

Westminster students collaborated with peers from other institutions to find creative solutions to the mental health and wellness challenges facing today’s college students. Students also had an opportunity to network with industry professionals.

“ELC provided me and Westminster with a unique opportunity to collaborate on modern-day issues with students from other schools through an entrepreneurial lens,” said Krysta Germanoski ’24, a junior finance major from Meadville, Pa. “Working and networking with other students allowed me to expand my network and knowledge in a way otherwise I would not have had.”

Two Westminster students—Alyjah McHugh ’25, a sophomore business administration major from Nashua, N.H., and Sean Casey, a foreign exchange student from County Tyrone, Ireland—were members of the winning team.

In addition to McHugh, Casey and Germanoski, other Westminster students participating in the weekend challenge included:

Ryan Crissman ’26, a first-year accounting major from Allison Park, Pa.

Kendra Granchi ’24, a junior psychology major from Geneva, Ohio

Hannah Piccirilli ’23, a senior neuroscience major from Erie, Pa.

Madison Utiss ’24, a junior computer information systems major from Cheswick, Pa.

Alexis Yim ’25, a sophomore business administration major from Ellicott City, Md.

Other schools participating included Allegheny College, Waynesburg University, Grove City College, Washington and Jefferson College, Robert Morris University, Point Park University, West Liberty University and the University of Pittsburgh.

The ELC challenge was made possible through a partnership with the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, a non-profit organization that aims to improve the economic future and quality of life of the 10-county Pittsburgh region.

For more information about the event, please contact Eric Gaber, Westminster entrepreneur-in-residence, at 724-946-7161 or gaberea@westminster.edu.

Pictured at top, Westminster students Alyjah McHugh and Sean Casey. Below, the winning social innovation challenge team featuring McHugh and Casey.

More Stories