Westminster College has partnered with JCL Development to launch a new civic entrepreneurship fellowship aimed at supporting economic revitalization in the region. 
 
As part of the partnership, JCL Development—led by Sharon, Pa., investors, community advocates and philanthropists Jim Landino and his wife Jen Krezeczowski—has committed funding to establish the Economic Development Fellowship Program. The program will be housed at Westminster College and operated through the Westminster Entrepreneurship Center (WEC).
 
The fellowship will provide up to five students annually with a $5,000 stipend over two academic years, along with training in entrepreneurship and community-based economic development. Fellows will work on real-world projects, gaining hands-on experience while supporting revitalization efforts in Sharon, Mercer County, Lawrence County and the broader region.
 
The Westminster Entrepreneurship Center is currently engaged in several projects supporting Sharon-area organizations and small businesses. These efforts are focused on strengthening the local economy, fostering innovation and enhancing the quality of life throughout the region. While many current initiatives are based in Sharon, the fellowship is designed to support projects and partnerships across multiple communities.
 
“This fellowship is a game changer for both our students and the community,” said Eric Gaber, senior director of the Westminster Entrepreneurship Center. “It provides students with meaningful, real-world experience while directly contributing to the revitalization of Sharon. They won’t just be learning about economic development—they’ll be doing it.”
 
Gaber said the program will give students a competitive advantage while delivering measurable impact in the region.
 
“Our students will graduate with a level of experience that sets them apart, and at the same time, they’ll be helping to drive tangible progress in Mercer County as well as other regions,” Gaber said. “This is exactly the kind of experiential learning that creates lasting change.”
 
The fellowship is a two-year program for students in their junior and senior years, or the graduate equivalent. In addition to financial support, fellows will participate in a civic entrepreneurship course focused on the region's redevelopment and receive mentorship from leaders in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.
 
The fellowship program will be led by a newly appointed director, set to begin June 1, with support from a WEC graduate assistant. They will oversee fellows and coordinate projects with community stakeholders.
 
Lindsey Krezeczowski, director at JCL Development, is working with Westminster to align fellowship activities with broader redevelopment efforts.
 
JCL Development said the partnership reflects its ongoing commitment to Sharon and the surrounding region and a shared goal of developing local talent to support long-term economic growth.
 
The College expects the fellowship to serve as a model for place-based, experiential learning in civic and economic development.

__________

By Betsy Fontaine Hildebrand ’92
Betsy Fontaine Hildebrand ’92 is the director of communication in Westminster College's Office of Marketing and Communication.

More Stories