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С����Ƶ has launched the Brodsky Institute for Economic and Community Impact to expand opportunities for students to build career-ready skills through real-world projects with local businesses and community partners. Named for Norm Brodsky ’64, a longtime entrepreneur and the namesake of the University’s Norm Brodsky College of Business, the Institute is helping make hands-on learning an even more central part of a Rider education.

Dr. Darryl Mace, previously the vice president of community engagement and belonging at Rider, will lead the Institute as senior vice president and chief operating officer. Sugenny Santiago will serve as director.

“Universities serve their students best when they give them meaningful opportunities to apply what they learn beyond the classroom,” says С����Ƶ President John R. Loyack, CPA, M.B.A. “Students need to be out doing what they will be doing in their chosen careers many times before they leave Rider and enter the full-time workforce. That is the kind of preparation employers are looking for, and that is our value proposition at Rider.”

One of the Institute’s central components is its business incubator, which pairs cross-disciplinary students with entrepreneurs, nonprofits, small businesses and community partners in the Trenton and Mercer County area.

Students take on real client work from planning through execution, contributing in areas such as sales strategy, product development, marketing, operations and fundraising. For partner organizations, that means added expertise and capacity they may not otherwise have in-house; for students, it means gaining the practical, analytical and interpersonal skills they will need after graduation.

Since beginning its work over the summer, the Institute is already supporting nearly 50 active student-led projects spanning areas such as health equity, workforce training, education, journalism and economic development.

“The Institute is a clear example of Rider’s commitment to transformative experiential learning,” says Mace. “The mission is clear: connect Rider students with organizations doing meaningful work and let that work change both the students and the community.”

The Brodsky Institute also brings together other opportunities for students to test ideas, build skills and take greater ownership of their education. These include Rider’s Maker Space, ���������’s, the Bonner Community Leader Program,Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program and more.

Visit the Brodsky Institute for Economic and Community Impact to learn more, become a fellow or explore partnership opportunities.