Barbara J. Burger iZone - University of Rochester

Thank you to our second cohort of Venture Vibes!? We were thrilled to host another inspiring group of innovators, creators, and trailblazers for an exclusive breakfast. The room buzzed with enthusiasm as participants shared their insights, sparked new ideas, and built meaningful connections to fuel their next big ventures!

Are you interested in joining iZone’s Marketing Team? Stop by tomorrow 11/13 from 11am-12pm or 1:30-2:30pm to learn about what we do and skills we’re looking for, hear about our mission, ask us questions, and more! #izone?#rcl?#rivercampuslibraries?#uofr?#universityofrochester?#rochester?#libraries?#innovate?#imagination?#inspiration?#ideas?#inquiry?#invention #improvement?#impact

Congratulations to our Director, Yasmin Mattox, for being recognized by the Rochester Business Journal as one of the 2024 Forty Under 40 Honorees! We are proud to have her guidance and leadership.

Calling all Entrepreneurs, Innovators, and Changemakers ?? Do you have an early-stage idea? An innovative project, creative venture, or policy research that you want to launch? The Make It Happen Prize awarded by the Barbara J. Burger iZone provides individuals and groups with prizes worth up to $1,500 to encourage them to bring their ideas to life. Applications are due by October 21st at 11:59pm, and will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until then. Undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni are encouraged to apply. Head to the link below to submit your application today! https://lnkd.in/g8H94Ma7

Introducing Koshala Mathuranayagam, iZone's Brand Manager! Koshala was born in Sri Lanka and raised in Upstate New York, and graduated from the University of Rochester in 2023, with a B.A. in Digital Media Studies. She enjoys walking, a good book, and watching the sunrise. At iZone, Kosh oversees a variety of initiatives focused on connecting students to iZone and then guiding them as they explore and communicate their ideas for impact through the design, marketing, and co-development of events. . . . . . . . #izone?#rcl?#rivercampuslibraries?#uofr?#universityofrochester?#rochester?#libraries?#innovate?#imagination?#inspiration?#ideas?#inquiry?#invention?#improvement?#impact

This last April, iZone hosted our second annual Make it Happen (MIH) Night! It was a great evening, bringing together innovators and changemakers of various backgrounds. Each gave 2-minute pitches about what they're building to improve people's lives, from mental-health-awareness-focused clothing to playful, STEM learning tools for youth. Throughout the spring semester, the MIH cohort worked together to further inquire, and explore their ideas for change, and now they'll use the knowledge they've gained and skills built to accelerate their positive impact. Congrats to the 2023-2024 cohort, and continue to do great things!

Thank you to our first cohort of Venture Vibes! We were honored to host a dynamic group of builders, change makers, and visionaries for a closed breakfast. ?? The energy was electric as participants exchanged ideas, forged connections, and drew inspiration from each other’s visions and accomplishments.

Debate Night was a success thanks to our collaboration with @ROCTalks, our brilliant participants, and dedicated judges! Huge shoutout to our winners, Stine Isak and Charles Ndlovu, for their outstanding debating skills and insightful arguments. Let’s continue to engage in meaningful discourse and celebrate the power of ideas! When 25 donors make a gift of any amount to the River Campus Libraries iZone on the Day of Giving, Barbara J. Burger ’83 will generously contribute $14,000 to iZone to support professional development, technology, and student-centered programs or innovations like this! #izone #rcl #rivercampuslibraries #uofr #universityofrochester #rochester #libraries #innovate #imagination #inspiration #ideas #inquiry #invention #improvement #debate #debatenight

Challenge Alert! ?? When 25 donors make a gift of any amount to the Barbara J. Burger iZone - University of Rochester on Day of Giving, Barbara Burger ’83 will generously contribute $14,000 to the iZone to support professional development, technology, and student-centered programs or innovations. ???? Make your gift now ?? https://lnkd.in/gjyUwpbh

Pitch Imperfect was a massive success last Thursday. Thank you to all those who participated and our amazing judges Claudia, Ha, and Sonali. Congratulations to our winners Dominique, Jonah, Leann, Dusin and a special shoutout to Provost Figlio for a thorough analysis on the best ways to annoy your Uber driver! #izone #rcl #rivercampuslibraries #uofr #universityofrochester #rochester #libraries #innovate #imagination #inspiration #ideas #inquiry #invention #improvement