O'Pake Institute

O'Pake Institute The O'Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship fosters the development of entrep

Through Reading CollegeTowne, Alvernia University’s O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship is a change agent for the economic and entrepreneurial outlook of Reading. The O’Pake Institute acts as a catalyst for organizational growth by mentoring businesses through a student-powered approach, and actively partnering with other economic development drivers. The O'Pake Institut

e for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship celebrates the Catholic and Franciscan tradition that Alvernia values. As a Franciscan institution, the university's mission compels Alvernians to be like St. Francis and serve as a source of transformation for students, the institution, and the community.

09/01/2026

Hey guys… did you miss us? Because we missed YOU! 🎤
The Mini Mic is back, and we’ve got plenty more to say.
Keep your eyes peeled… You won’t want to miss what’s coming next!

08/26/2026

Last week, our incoming students planted their goals, started to nurture their vision, and are on their way to becoming the person they want to be in the near future.

During O'Pake's Pre-Orientation Camp, our very own Marketeer and Graduate Assistant, Jordan Hall, brought a unique perspective on personal growth through his hands-on plant workshop, Grow With Your Goals.

By the time your plant reaches its next stage of growth, Hall hopes you’ll look back at the goals written on the outside of the pot and realize how far you’ve come toward achieving them.

This workshop captured something we deeply believe at O’Pake: growth is never just professional, it’s personal, too. We believe in developing people, encouraging purpose, and helping the next generation turn their ideas into action.

08/25/2026

Mike Caron joins the Marketeers on The 401 for a conversation on what it really takes to build successful businesses and create opportunities that last.

From the world of angel investing to supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, Mike shares the mindset he looks for in founders, the lessons he’s learned through business, and why investing in people is often the greatest investment of all.

We also explore the O’Pake Institute’s mission of empowering the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders by providing the resources, mentorship, and support they need to turn ideas into reality.

Whether you’re an aspiring business owner, a student, or someone interested in entrepreneurship and economic development, this episode offers valuable insights into building companies, creating impact, and strengthening your community.

08/03/2026

The countdown begins! 
 
Latino Unidos is back, and we’re getting ready for another unforgettable celebration of culture, community, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
 
This year’s event will feature incredible cultural cuisine, exciting entertainment, and meaningful networking opportunities, and we’re honored to welcome José Martínez as our keynote speaker. His inspiring story and insights are sure to make this an event you won’t want to miss.
 
As we prepare for this year’s celebration, we’re looking back at some of our favorite memories from past events. Every conversation, connection, and shared experience has helped make Latino Unidos more than an event. It’s a community.
 
📅 Save the date and secure your spot today! Register using the link in our bio.
 
Stay tuned... there’s so much more to come. 
 

Leadership is about more than personal success; it's about inspiring others to believe in what's possible.Last month, ou...
07/31/2026

Leadership is about more than personal success; it's about inspiring others to believe in what's possible.

Last month, our Graduate Assistant of Client Marketing and Media Services, Jordan Hall, had the honor of delivering an inspiring speech at the 37th Annual Dr. Ronald E. Smith Scholarship Awards and Recognition Banquet hosted by the Reading Branch of the NAACP.

By sharing personal experiences and encouraging graduating seniors to embrace every opportunity, Jordan demonstrated the power of perseverance, education, and purpose-driven leadership.

This is what the O'Pake Institute is all about: empowering students to become leaders who make a lasting impact in their communities and inspire the next generation to dream bigger.

We are proud of Jordan for this accomplishment. Join us in congratulating him on this incredible achievement!

Digital media is more than just posting on social media; it's about building connections, telling your story, and growin...
07/30/2026

Digital media is more than just posting on social media; it's about building connections, telling your story, and growing your brand.

Our Graduate Assistant of Digital Media, Jamel Fleming, recently presented "The Power of Digital Media Marketing" to students in the Emerging Entrepreneur Academy (EEA), where they explored how websites and social media work together to help businesses succeed in today's digital world.

Through interactive activities, real-world business examples, and collaborative discussions, students gained valuable insights into branding, content strategy, and creating a strong online presence.

We're proud to see our student leaders making an impact by sharing their knowledge and helping inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs!

We’re excited to officially welcome our newest Graduate Assistants as they step into leadership roles across Innovation,...
07/28/2026

We’re excited to officially welcome our newest Graduate Assistants as they step into leadership roles across Innovation, Community Impact, Client Services, and Operations!

Their commitment to growth, leadership, and innovation reflects the values at the heart of the O’Pake Institute. As Graduate Assistants, they are stepping into opportunities to strengthen their expertise, lead impactful initiatives, collaborate with diverse teams, and create meaningful solutions that advance our mission of empowering innovation, entrepreneurship, and community impact.

Please join us in celebrating Anthony Hugee, Christian Wright, Jack Kenney, Kyleah Hargett-Bryant, and Aracelis Amador-Rivera as they begin this exciting new chapter. We’re looking forward to seeing the ideas they bring, the connections they build, and the impact they will make throughout the O’Pake Institute.

Help us congratulate our newest Graduate Assistants in the comments!

Proud to see the O'Pake Institute represented at West Reading Pickleball!This partnership is a great example of students...
07/17/2026

Proud to see the O'Pake Institute represented at West Reading Pickleball!

This partnership is a great example of students putting classroom knowledge into practice. Our Sports Management Fellows have been working alongside West Reading Pickleball to provide strategic planning, sponsor package development, and community-focused support, with our Creative Services team joining the project this fall to provide marketing services.

Thank you to West Reading Pickleball for your partnership and for recognizing the value of student-powered innovation. We can't wait to see what's next!

Interested in working with our students? Reach out to learn how the O'Pake Institute can help bring your next project to life.

NEWS | Three mechanical engineering student entrepreneurs won an award for their patent-pending nursing education techno...
07/15/2026

NEWS | Three mechanical engineering student entrepreneurs won an award for their patent-pending nursing education technology, which was designed to address an issue in the healthcare industry.

Jack Badalamenti, Philip Crock and Steve Franco Tello Alegria launched their company, Learn2Inject, right here on Alvernia's campus to develop the first reusable safety needle designed specifically for nursing education, called the Smart Stick.

The O'Pake Institute for Economic Development & Entrepreneurship helped see the patent-pending technology from the epiphany stage to the business valuation and product development phases, resulting in the team's 1st Place Win in the Collegiate Division of the 24th Annual tecBRIDGE Business Plan Competition.

Smart Stick allows nursing students to repeatedly practice the complete injection process using the same training needle, reducing costs and plastic waste while improving clinical skill development.

The idea was presented to the Engineering Design course by Director of Learning and Simulation, Joy Flicker, MSN, RN, after she discussed the reusable safety needle as a viable project with her colleagues in the John and Karen Arnold School of Nursing.

Read the full story about this sustainable, innovative technology 🔗 https://www.alvernia.edu/news/2026/07/alvernia-students-develop-patent-pending-nursing-education-technology-win-regional-business-plan

07/14/2026

The 401 Podcast is back, and we're kicking things off by introducing The Three Marketeers.

Meet Jameel, Jamel, and Jordan, the team behind the marketing and communications projects happening at the O'Pake Institute.

In our first episode back, they share what they've learned about marketing, project management, leadership, and working with clients while leading teams of high school interns and undergraduate students.

Whether you're a student, entrepreneur, or professional, there's something in this conversation for you.

🎧 Listen now at the link in our bio.

And stay tuned. Mike Caron joins us next to talk entrepreneurship, angel investing, and innovation.

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400 Saint Bernardine Street
Reading, PA
19607

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

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