The Big Idea Center, part of the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, is in the middle of the 2026 Big Idea Competition, one of its centerpiece programs, where students of all levels from across the university boldly put their big ideas for improving the world forward. We checked in with Jess Malandro, assistant director of the Big Idea Center, to learn more about this year’s competition and how the Big Idea Center has evolved since she joined in 2018.
Tell us a little bit about yourself…
I serve as the Assistant Director of the Big Idea Center, the University of Pittsburgh’s hub for student innovation and entrepreneurship. In this role, I focus on creating experiential learning opportunities that cultivate innovation-driven mindsets and entrepreneurial skills across the Pitt community. I am a two-time alum of the University of Pittsburgh, earning a Bachelor of Arts from the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences and a Master of Education from the School of Education.
Since joining the Big Idea Center as a full-time staff member in 2018, I have held several roles, including Program Coordinator, Manager for Student Programs & Operations, and Assistant Director. I was drawn to this ever-evolving team because of its unique mission: empowering motivated, impact-driven students with the space and support to bring their Big Ideas to life. That continues to be my favorite part of the work. Each day, I have the privilege of watching students shape the future in real time, and I am honored to play even a small role in their journeys.
What is a typical day like for you in your role?
The short answer is that there is no typical day in this role. That is one of the best parts about working at the Big Idea Center. Every day looks different. Every program is different. Every competition is different, even when they occur annually. The ideas students bring to us evolve year after year, and as our reach continues to grow across the university, we welcome participants from an increasingly diverse range of disciplines. It is exciting to see, and even more exciting to support.
If I had to define a “typical” day, it would include coordinating logistics and planning for upcoming events, strategically collaborating with our director, Rhonda Schuldt, on ways to continually innovate our programming, and meeting with students at our center at 3601 Forbes Ave. And, of course, there is usually a coffee or two involved to keep the momentum going.
In the coming weeks, I am looking forward to moving into the semi-final phase of the Big Idea competition, our largest program of the year, and facilitating the ChangeMaker Series, our newest masterclass experience for students who want to explore innovation and entrepreneurship from the ground up. If you can believe it, I am also getting a head start on our program slate for 2026-2027!
How has the programming at the Big Idea Center evolved during your time there?
The Big Idea Center was launched in 2018, inspired by the success of the Big Idea Competition. In the early days, our programming centered on a few core offerings, including the Big Idea Competition, Big Idea Blitz, and Global Entrepreneurship Week. While many of these programs still exist in name, they have evolved significantly to better meet the needs and interests of today’s students. For example, Big Idea Blitz has shifted from a 24-hour pitch competition to a concentrated, competition-free educational experience that provides curated content and focused work time to participating teams. They also gain access to a simulated pitch round from which they receive real feedback based on our competition judge rubric. This change reflects our commitment to strengthening the foundational learning elements that students told us they needed and that we know are integral to their success beyond their time at Pitt.
Most importantly, our focus has broadened from startup creation to student success. While supporting student ventures remains valuable, we’ve learned that developing students’ skills, mindsets, and confidence has an even greater long-term impact, whether they pursue a startup, join an organization, or bring innovative thinking to their communities. We’ve seen our alumni thrive across fields such as law, technology, education, and entrepreneurship because innovation is not limited to a single career path.
With this student-centered approach, we’ve adapted existing programs like the Big Idea Competition to include more experiential learning, introduced new pathways such as the ChangeMaker Series and the ChangeMaker Scholar Recognition Program, and expanded our reach to students from every school across the university. Our goal is simple: empower any student from any background to see themselves as an innovator and to chart their own path forward.
The Big Idea Center moved into its own space at the corner of Forbes and Meyran avenues a few years ago. How has that benefited students?
The evolution of the Big Idea Center is one of my favorite stories to tell because it truly reflects the journey of a scrappy startup finding its footing. When we launched in 2018, our team of two, soon to be three, was operating out of a basement filled with recycled furniture and very little space for students to collaborate on new technologies or social impact ideas. I vividly remember students squeezed into corners, working beside a mini-fridge and a Keurig as they developed projects that would later grow into full ventures. It was cramped, but it was full of possibilities.
The COVID-19 pandemic pushed our programming fully online and highlighted the need for a dedicated, flexible space where students could gather safely and creatively. During that period, we transitioned out of the basement and, eventually, construction began on our new home at 3601 Forbes Avenue.
When the Big Idea Center opened its doors in 2022, it marked a new era for student innovation at Pitt. Our space, with our windows emblazoned with inspirational phrases, was intentionally designed to welcome students and community members into an environment built for ideation, collaboration, and connection. Since opening, we’ve hosted panels, networking events, competitions, student organization meetings, and even student startup-related gatherings. We have also strengthened partnerships across campus and with groups like the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) to host educational events and professional development talks.
Having a visible, accessible location in the heart of Oakland and the Pittsburgh Innovation District has significantly increased our reach and impact. It has helped position the Big Idea Center as a key part of the Pitt student experience and has opened new pathways for collaboration between our students and the broader Pittsburgh innovation community.
Tell us more about the Big Idea Competition. Who is eligible? How is the contest administered, and how much in prizes is on the line?
The Big Idea Competition is our flagship annual student innovation and idea-development program. In recent years, the competition has been enhanced to provide expanded hands-on learning opportunities, including pitch feedback, mentorship, and direct engagement with professional staff and entrepreneurs in residence. At its core, the Big Idea Competition is designed to help students transform ideas into meaningful impact and give teams the foundation they need to be successful in whatever endeavor they choose to pursue upon graduation.
One of the more unique aspects of the Big Idea Competition is its inclusivity of ideas and students. It is open to current University of Pittsburgh students across all disciplines and degree levels, from undergraduates to PhD candidates. We are also open to ideas from PostDocs and UPMC Residents. Our only requirements for ideas are that they be founded and led by current Pitt students (those listed above).
We have recently made our selection of semi-finalists for the 2026 Big Idea Competition, calling upon a team of guest application reviewers across industries to aid in the difficult task of narrowing the field from 59 initial applications to 33 semi-finalist teams. From here, we will have our longest semi-final phase of the competition that we have ever had, giving students almost a month to develop their ideas and teams before the virtual semi-final pitch round on March 20. The goal of extending the semi-final phase was to give teams an even greater opportunity to engage with educational content curated specifically for this competition, be matched with a competition mentor for expert guidance and network-building, and to allow more students to put concentrated work into their ideas and pitches before our finalist team selection.
Our final in-person pitch round will take place on April 10. Winning teams will be eligible for cash prizes ranging from $2,000 to $25,000. The prize amounts will be awarded to student innovators as a celebration of their dedication to their ideas, ability to adapt, willingness to learn, and drive to create impact. Beyond funding, the competition provides all participants with critical skills, feedback, and professional connections to support their continued growth as innovators, leaders, and change-makers.