4 things to know about Lafayette’s Dyer Center
Resources, mentorship, a makerspace, and events to help Lafayette students turn ideas into businesses, nonprofits, products, or art.
By Mia Ortiz ’29
Dyer Center offers students academic resources and the opportunity to seek help in exploring future entrepreneurial ideas and business pursuits, mentorship, and more. Learn about the Dyer Center and how it can help you develop one of your ideas from concept to reality.
Matt Bednarsky, program manager and fellowship coordinator, says Dyer Center is for explorers who are curious and innovative.
“The Dyer Center is for those who want to build—whether that be a business, nonprofit, product, or art—share their creations with the world, and hone their craft/skills,” Bednarsky says. “We focus on how to think, not what to think. (It’s for) anybody who wants to innovate and explore creativity.”
- Mentorship: Dyer Center offers mentorship for students through the Dyer Venture Studio. Dyer Venture Studio’s purpose is to take action by turning your interests into a reality. Dyer Venture Studio offers a space to build, receive guidance and mentorship, and possibly receive funding support. Mentors can be current staff members, alumni, or community members. The mentorship program is meant to be tailored to a student’s interests. Students are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the academic year.
- Workshops and competitions: Throughout the year, students can attend workshops and competitions. In the past, Dyer hosted an upcycle workshop featuring an entrepreneur who creates her own fashion by utilizing thrift store shirts repurposed into tote bags. Or you can join competitions, such as the Big Idea Pitch Competition, where students compete with business idea pitches to a panel of judges (similar to Shark Tank), and winners earn cash prizes. Any student can participate. Events and competitions will be posted on Dyer’s social media (@dyer_lafayette).
- Makerspace: Dyer Center has 3D printers, a laser engraver (training is required), and a sewing machine. Both Dyer Center and its Makerspace are located in Rockwell Integrated Sciences Center, Room 330. The Makerspace is an area where students can explore their creativity and craft anything of their choosing. It promotes creative experimentation and entrepreneurship.
- Upcoming events: This upcoming semester, Dyer Center will be hosting a tour of the Crayola Manufacturing Facility, Fri., Sept. 18. (Details are shared on Dyer’s social media.) They’ll also host two Founders’ Table Dinners, where 10 students will share a meal with a founder at a Downtown Easton restaurant (Sept. 30 and Oct. 20). All events and sign-up info will be posted on Dyer’s social media and flyers shared around campus. Interested in attending an event? Follow @dyer_lafayette on Instagram for more info.