A University of Pittsburgh education involves so much more than the acquisition of knowledge. It’s more about applying new knowledge for creative expression, problem solving, and innovation. That is the philosophy that Rhonda Schuldt brings to the role of director of the Big Idea Center, part of the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Schuldt first joined the Big Idea Center in 2018 as an entrepreneur in residence, before being selected to lead the organization in 2021 to succeed founding director, Babs Carryer. In her four-year tenure she has expanded the center’s programming, moved the organization into its own space on Forbes Avenue, and solidified its mission to serve as a cross-campus resource for teaching valuable skills that students can apply in all areas of their work or personal lives.
We caught up with Rhonda to learn more about the Big Idea Center and some of the latest happenings there.
Tell us a bit about the mission of the Big Idea Center and how it supports student innovation and entrepreneurship?
Absolutely! The Big Idea Center is dedicated fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the University of Pittsburgh. Innovators and entrepreneurs are our world’s problem solvers and value creators – they are our world’s changemakers. As Pitt’s hub for student innovation, entrepreneurship, and impact we strive to provide any student at Pitt the opportunity to develop and cultivate an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset and skillset that enriches their academic experience and equips them to have impact and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
What types of programs and resources does the Big Idea Center offer to students?
We offer a wide range of immersive programs to support any student’s interest in what innovation and entrepreneurship can mean for them. This includes workshops, innovation and business plan competitions, incubator-style support, and early investment opportunities for students working to move an idea to reality. Our ChangeMaker recognition program is our newest program where students can explore and develop entrepreneurial knowledge, skills, and experiences, and how they can be applied across myriad opportunities for change, not just startups. Across our programming, we also provide mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts, which is invaluable for any student as they navigate their innovation and entrepreneurial interests and aspirations.
I also want to stress that we don’t do what we do in isolation. As a hub, the Big Idea Center also strives to connect students to innovative, entrepreneurial, and creative resources across Pitt. And for anyone across the University endeavoring to support the development of students’ innovative and entrepreneurial capabilities and experience, the Big Idea Center is a partner and a resource to leverage.
You mentioned the BIC introduced a new ChangeMaker program. Tell us briefly about it.
Sure! This is a new two-part immersive experiential program that we piloted in Spring 2024. The first part is the ChangeMaker Series, which is a 5-session masterclass-type program designed to introduce students to common concepts, disciplines, and frameworks of innovation and entrepreneurship (change-making) along with guest panelists who bring these to life by sharing their journeys as innovators and entrepreneurs.
We had extraordinary participation in the pilot with students of all levels and multiple disciplines across campus. Based on this interest, we launched the full program in the fall of 2024, including the second part, our ChangeMaker Scholar Recognition program. This multi-semester, customized program allows students to deepen their knowledge and skills, gain real-world experience, and discover the power of innovation and entrepreneurial capabilities to make change and have a positive impact in all that they do.
We’re thrilled that three students from the pilot cohort have already achieved ChangeMaker Scholar status and were recognized as such upon graduation this year with academic regalia and a Certificate of Achievement. With the full program up and running, every semester, a new cohort of students enters the Series, joining a growing community of Pitt student ChangeMakers.
How does the Big Idea Center encourage collaboration among students from different disciplines?
Collaboration and teamwork are at the heart of successful innovation, and research shows that teams that approach problem-solving (innovation) from different perspectives are more successful. Since our programs are open to all students, regardless of their major or level, we are a natural place for them to build teams with diverse academic backgrounds and experiences, and we have tools to help connect students across the university. We encourage interdisciplinary team development because we’ve seen firsthand that diversity of experience, thought, and expertise leads to teams that develop more creative solutions.
What is a Success Story from this year that exemplifies the impact of the Big Idea Center on a student’s entrepreneurial journey?
We look at success from the student’s point of view: what does success mean to them? There are many stories to tell about students who have come through the Big Idea Center, but I’ll focus on a story that includes one of our first ChangeMaker Scholars and who demonstrates what is possible as a Pitt student through the Big Idea Center. This is the story of Forevergreen.
Jack Pearson (CBA/Honors) had an idea early in his junior year (Fall 2023). He, along with his brother Joe (A&S), a freshman at the time, engaged with the Big Idea Center to explore whether their idea might have potential. Within a year, they had participated in several programs and two of our competitions that propelled their desire to create a solution for a generation experiencing climate anxiety and feeling powerless about making a positive impact on that issue. This spring, they launched Forevergreen, a user-friendly platform to track and reduce an individual’s carbon footprint while also building a social media following of more than 400,000. Just a few short months later, Forevergreen’s users had offset more than 300,000 pounds of CO2 through the purchase of voluntary carbon credits and reduced more than 20 tons through lifestyle changes, demonstrating the power of individual actions within a community with shared goals.
This is just one example of change-making in action and what students can accomplish by stepping into the Big Idea Center to explore their possibilities. Any student can build a capacity for impact, whether that’s applying their innovative and entrepreneurial skills and knowledge to their existing roles or starting their own endeavor.
What advice would you give to students who are interested in pursuing entrepreneurship but are unsure where to start
My biggest piece of advice is to just jump in! Whether you have an idea for change you want to pursue or are simply curious about exploring innovation and entrepreneurship, dive into the resources and programs we offer. Don’t be afraid to have questions and uncertainty. Innovation is a journey, and every step you take is a learning and growth opportunity to power your possibilities and open up new opportunities. The Big Idea Center is here to support and guide you, so take advantage of that and start exploring your innovative, entrepreneurial, and change-making potential.