Tonian Fullerton ’24 Discovers Her Voice and Passion at Iona’s Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Tonian Fullerton ’24 has two goals: running a business and helping others. She credits Iona University’s Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation not only with furthering those goals, but with changing her life.
“I have found a true home on the Iona campus, through faculty and staff. The Hynes Institute has changed my life, and I am eternally grateful for all the people that work in the Entrepreneurship Department,” said Fullerton, a Bronx native and vice president of external affairs for the Student Leader Alliance for Multiculturalism. “Iona University is a well of experiences if you're willing to immerse yourself and step outside your comfort zone.”
For instance, the Hynes Institute’s design thinking course allowed Fullerton to work with other students and the Business Council of Westchester (BCW) to study environmental issues in the Yonkers Housing Authority.
“We were tasked with problem solving the heat island effect in Yonkers and worked with the BCW and Yonkers Housing Authority to meet residents and discuss the problems they face. This led us to learn that residents were more impacted by local construction and a lack of connection than by the weather,” said Fullerton. “Opportunities like this are due to Iona's mission to serve the community and equip students with the knowledge to do so.”
After graduation in 2024, Fullerton plans to complete an MBA in Marketing in Iona’s LaPenta School of Business with the goal of becoming a social entrepreneur.
“I want to create multiple social enterprises that will help people facing issues such as homelessness, food insecurity, and childcare,” said Fullerton, who participated in Iona in Mission in Jamaica in 2023. “From a very young age, I knew that I wanted to spend my life helping others and this is how I will give back to my community and help those in need around the world.”
We spoke with Fullerton recently to learn more about her Iona journey. Please see interview below:
Name: Tonian Fullerton
Graduation Year: 2024
Hometown: Bronx, N.Y.
Major: BA, Entrepreneurship
Hometown: Bronx
Why did you decide to attend Iona?
I chose Iona because my brother attended and graduated in the Class of 2021 and 2022. Through him, I became familiar with the campus and the track coaching staff. I thought Iona would be a good fit for me. The reason I chose to attend Iona is the people. I have found a true home on the Iona campus, through faculty and staff. The Hynes Institute has changed my life, and I am eternally grateful for all the people that work in the Entrepreneurship Department. I have found my voice and discovered my passions by getting involved with the Hynes Institute and Center for Student Engagement. Iona University is a well of experiences if you're willing to immerse yourself and step outside your comfort zone.
What interests you most about your chosen course of study?
The greatest thing about entrepreneurship is its versatility. Entrepreneurial tools like design thinking can be applied to multiple aspects of life, not just business. Design thinking and empathy mapping are about seeing the human perspective in every problem. This challenges you to not think of a solution for the problem, but for the person/user. Empathy is an important quality for any career and we are all trying to better the lives of others through our respective fields.
What distinct advantages have you gained from your Iona experience?
Through my Iona experience I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with the Stanford University Innovation Fellowship, Business Council of Westchester and Municipal Housing Authority of Yonkers. These were through the Hynes Institute. As a class, we were tasked with problem solving the heat-island effect in Yonkers and worked with BCW and MHACY to meet residents and discuss the problems they face. This led us to learn that residents were more impacted by local construction and a lack of connection more than by the weather. Opportunities like this are due to Iona's drive to serve the community and equip students with the knowledge on to do so.
What types of roles are you looking to pursue in the future?
My career goal in life is to be a social entrepreneur. I want to create multiple social enterprises that will help people facing issues such as homelessness, food insecurity, and childcare. From a very young age, I knew that I wanted to spend my life helping others and this is how I will give back to my community and help those in need around the world.
Is there a faculty or staff member who has made a positive impact on your future that you would like to mention?
Over my four years at Iona University, all the faculty and staff at the Hynes Institute had very positive effects on my life, the most impactful being Robert Kissner. Rob was my instructor for my design thinking class and taught me more than he will ever know. Rob challenged me to think big and not be limited by practicality. By doing this, Rod unlocked my mind to the possibilities of creating an impact. Through Rob and the class, I learned that problems are multifaceted and so are solutions. There is no need to stop trying to solve a problem because everyone is experiencing it differently, and as an entrepreneur it is important to create solutions for everyone.
Tell us about your plans. In what ways has Iona prepared you for the next step you will be taking?
Upon graduation in May 2024, I will return to Iona to acquire my MBA in Marketing. I have always had a love for design and making things eye catching, so I believe Marketing will be a great next step for me on my journey to operating my own business one day. I am confident in my ability to start multiple businesses because of the knowledge and connections I made at Iona University. I learned how to create with the user and not just for them. I also learned the importance of teamwork and conversation to understand what would really have an impact on the lives of others. Lastly, Iona has staff that made it abundantly clear that I will always have a network of people ready to give assistance whenever necessary to help me succeed.
What clubs, organizations or service projects are you involved with beyond the classroom?
At Iona University I serve as the editor-in-chief of The Annual student yearbook, vice president of external affairs for SLAM, and vice president of Student Engagement. I also work on campus as a Gael Guide for the Office of Admissions and creative assistant for the Office of Mission & Ministry.