Stanford Selects Four Iona Students for Prestigious University Innovation Fellows Program
New Rochelle, N.Y. — The Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation had the honor of inducting four Iona students into the University Innovation Fellows program by Stanford University’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school). This transformative program equips students with the tools and mindset to drive meaningful change and innovation within their academic communities.
Congratulations to this year’s Fellows:
- Lazar Paroski ’25, Biology with a concentration in Environmental and Ecology, minor in Political Science
- Alex Garces ’25, Marketing and International Business
- Zhaire Moulterie ’26, Entrepreneurship
- Sherly Baez ’25, Entrepreneurship and Marketing
Following acceptance into the program, students participate in a six-week online training experience. During training, Fellows learn to analyze their campus ecosystems and identify opportunities for change related to innovation, entrepreneurship, design thinking, and creativity. They then apply this new knowledge and perspective to design new educational opportunities for their peers and continue to serve as change agents and leaders at their schools and beyond.
This year, the Fellows aimed to strengthen global and diverse perspectives across campus, with a special emphasis on recognizing international students as well as first and second-generation students. Their goal is to inspire and establish an annual event to bring the community together in celebration of diversity and inclusion, so students can feel even more connected to their peers.
“This program was truly a labor-intensive undertaking for our students,” said Lendynette Pacheco-Jorge, associate director of the Hynes Institute. “Despite managing a full roster of classes and the demands of this additional role, they stayed fully engaged and dedicated throughout. Their commitment is a remarkable achievement.”
With more than 3,300 students trained since its creation, fellows are nominated by faculty and administrators and selected through an application process. In all, 164 students from 44 higher education institutions in 15 counties were named University Innovation Fellows in 2024.
“I’m incredibly proud of each of our students for their achievements,” said Christoph Winkler, Ph.D., endowed professor and founding program director of the Hynes Institute. “This program has equipped them to become change agents within their local communities. I have no doubt they will continue to be changemakers in the future, making a lasting difference in the world. Congratulations!”