Smithfield, RI –– Following a nationwide search, Bryant University announces the appointment of Kristie DeJesus as the inaugural director of the forthcoming Center for Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking, slated to open this academic year. Sited in the recently opened, 250,000-square-foot Business Entrepreneurship Leadership Center at Bryant, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking is poised to be a regional catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurial excellence in New England and beyond.

DeJesus, who begins her role September 3, joins Bryant from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), where she served as senior director of innovation and entrepreneurship. At WPI, she designed, implemented, and managed a dynamic portfolio of programs; developed and executed an ongoing stakeholder engagement strategy; and cultivated critical partnerships to support an inclusive environment that nurtures innovative thinking and creative problem-solving. A lifelong learner, DeJesus is currently pursuing an M.Ed. in Education at Worcester State University. She also holds a Master of Science in Operations and Information Technology from WPI and a Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering from Boston University.

“This is an incredible opportunity to work alongside a passionate team committed to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs,” says DeJesus. “Our goal is to create a vibrant ecosystem where students, faculty, staff, alumni, and industry leaders can collaborate, innovate, and drive meaningful change.”

DeJesus brings a wealth of experience and a dynamic vision to her new role. Under her leadership, the Center for Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking will offer industry-specific resources and funding to inspire, educate, connect, and accelerate entrepreneurs within the Bryant community. Student entrepreneurs will have real-world opportunities to transform their ideas into successful businesses and create positive change as startup founders, corporate or social entrepreneurs, or leaders of family businesses.

"The Center for Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking is one of the flagship spaces at Bryant's new Business Entrepreneurship Leadership Center," says Ross Gittell, Ph.D., President of Bryant University. "There, students will hatch ideas, launch ventures, and develop the critical skills to succeed in business and beyond. We are delighted to welcome Kristie to Bryant and are confident that her expertise and passion will contribute to the success of our bold Vision 2030 priorities."

Provost and Chief Academic Officer Rupendra Paliwal, Ph.D., also underscores the strategic importance of the new center and DeJesus’s vision for its future. “Kristie’s deep experience in creating programs and partnerships, along with her passion for elevating the next generation of leaders, make her an excellent choice to usher in the nascent Center for Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking,” he says. “Her leadership will be instrumental in shaping the future of our entrepreneurial initiatives.”

The Center for Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking will also offer a range of interdisciplinary activities for the campus community including mentorship programs, workshops, and networking events. The center aims to build strong connections with local businesses and industry leaders to provide students with practical experiences and real-world insights.

“The center will serve as a hub for creativity and collaboration, offering a platform for students to transform their ideas into viable ventures,” notes DeJesus. 

Bryant’s commitment to entrepreneurial education reflects the university’s broader mission to offer transformational learning experiences that result in exceptional outcomes for our graduates, who go on to become passionate, purpose-driven leaders in their chosen fields. 

To learn more about the Center for Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking, visit bryant.edu/institutes-centers-labs/center-entrepreneurship-and-design-thinking.

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About Bryant University

For more than 160 years, Bryant University has been at the forefront of delivering an exceptional education that anticipates the future and prepares students to be innovative leaders of character in a changing world. The university delivers a uniquely integrated academic and student life experience with nationally recognized academic programs at the intersection of business, liberal arts, and health and behavioral sciences.   

Located on a 465-acre contemporary campus in Smithfield, R.I., Bryant enrolls approximately 3,800 undergraduate and graduate students from 38 states and 49 countries. Bryant is recognized as a top 1% national leader in student education outcomes and regularly receives high rankings from U.S. News and World Report, Money, Bloomberg Businessweek, Wall Street Journal, College Factual, and Barron’s. Bryant.edu  

The Vision 2030 strategic plan sets an exciting trajectory for Bryant University, an institution committed to transformational learning experiences, exceptional outcomes, and developing passionate, purpose-driven leaders. Vision 2030 priorities include an ecosystem of academic excellence, vibrant student life, community and belonging, and economic mobility for all. Vision2030.Bryant.edu