SOAR Initiative / en The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Launches the SOAR Initiative /news/2023-09/center-innovation-and-entrepreneurship-launches-soar-initiative <span>The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Launches the SOAR Initiative</span> <span><span lang="" about="/user/791" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">Marianne Klinker</span></span> <span>Mon, 09/25/2023 - 10:07</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">The business school鈥檚 SOAR Initiative is a critical building block in 亚洲AV鈥檚 efforts to advance social mobility, or an individual鈥檚 ability to improve their socioeconomic status. <a href="https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/social-mobility" target="_blank"><em>U.S. News & World Report鈥檚</em> Best Colleges 2024</a> ranks Mason #1 on social mobility among public universities in Virginia.聽</span></p> <p>On Saturday, September 9, the <a href="https://business.gmu.edu/centers/center-for-innovation-and-entrepreneurship" title="Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 亚洲AV School of Business">Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship</a> (CIE) at 亚洲AV鈥檚 School of Business launched its new inclusive entrepreneurship training initiative, <a href="https://business.gmu.edu/centers/center-innovation-and-entrepreneurship/soar-initiative" title="Soar Initiative | 亚洲AV School of Business">SOAR</a>. The grand launch took place from 11 a.m. to noon at the Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA) Resource Center in Alexandria, Virginia. The <a href="https://business.gmu.edu/centers/center-innovation-and-entrepreneurship/soar-initiative" title="The SOAR Initiative | 亚洲AV School of Business">SOAR Initiative</a> provides resources and training for aspiring entrepreneurs who are refugees and immigrants, currently in a low socioeconomic status, or residing in rural and emerging communities. Joining Mason faculty and staff at the event were donors, mentors, community partners, and LSSNCA staff and volunteers.聽聽</p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2023-09/hasib-satary-2.jpg?itok=dc7XTIM8" width="350" height="233" alt="Hasib Satary, director of employment services for LSSNCA" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Hasib Satary speaks at the SOAR launch event.</figcaption></figure><p>Becky Howick, CIE director of operations and engagement, welcomed attendees and thanked SOAR鈥檚 partners and contributors. She spoke about the first cohort of the initiative鈥攖he <a href="https://business.gmu.edu/centers/center-innovation-and-entrepreneurship/soar-initiative#rise" title="RISE Program | 亚洲AV School of Business">Shrivastava Family Refugee and Immigrant Success through Entrepreneurship (RISE) program</a> participants. Recognizing that many of them were already successful entrepreneurs in their countries of origin, she said, 鈥淭he courageous people participating in this program have been referred to us through their LSSNCA employment coordinators. They have been identified as ready to take on this next chapter in life and realize their vision for the future.鈥 Howick then introduced Hasib Satary, director of employment services for LSSNCA, which is a strategic partner in this initiative. He spoke about the history and functions of his organization, including their vision to create a more inclusive community of well-being where people thrive. LSSNCA accompanies those in need along their journey to foster resiliency, self-sufficiency, and access to opportunities by creating, connecting with, and engaging welcoming communities.鈥</p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2023-09/dean-vinze-pranav-shrivastava.jpg?itok=SkBUtUou" width="350" height="234" alt="Dean Ajay Vinz茅 and Pranav Shrivastava" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Dean Ajay Vinz茅 and Pranav Shrivastava</figcaption></figure><p>Following Satary鈥檚 remarks, Howick introduced Dean Ajay Vinz茅 to the podium. Dean Vinz茅 outlined why the initiative is so important and why the school鈥檚 Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is the best place to house it. He also spoke of its intended impact on the region and participating communities. 鈥淐ommunities reap the benefit of entrepreneurship because it fosters innovation, promotes economic development, and creates jobs,鈥 he said.聽 Pranav Shrivastava, an economics student at Mason and son of Sumeet Shrivastava, MBA 鈥94, also attended the event. Dean Vinz茅 shared a statement from Sumeet about the family鈥檚 history of immigration and entrepreneurism, emphasizing that the SOAR Initiative aligns with their own values and vision of giving back to the community. Dean Vinz茅 then presented Pranav Shrivastava with an award to recognize the <a href="https://business.gmu.edu/news/2023-08/shrivastava-family-makes-gift-rise-program-support-refugee-and-immigrant-entrepreneurs" target="_blank" title="Read more.">transformative gift</a> from the Shrivastava Family Foundation, which has made the RISE program possible.聽</p> <p>Crystal Fickers, CIE associate director and instructor for the RISE Program, shared her story of running multiple businesses, many of them overseas, and working directly with refugees and asylum seekers. 鈥淭he SOAR Initiative is a different type of program,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e will not be teaching academic theory. This program will be a unique and inclusive business incubator where we walk hand in hand with participants to start their businesses and ensure that it is profitable enough to positively impact their personal or family income.鈥 She spoke about a refugee from Afghanistan that participated in an entrepreneurship training program she ran through her business in Australia. As a shy teenager, Jamshid fled violence in his home country and arrived in Australia unsure of how to overcome the challenges he faced. Through mentorship and hard work, he excelled and became an entrepreneur running a barista certification business. 鈥淗is story is a testament to the incredible impact that such a training program can have on an individual,鈥 said Fickers.聽</p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2023-09/rise-program-participant-speaking-background.jpg?itok=mA0kWgcI" width="350" height="234" alt="Mohammad Rafiq Katawazai" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Mohammad Rafiq Katawazai speaks at the SOAR launch event.</figcaption></figure><p>Mohammad Rafiq Katawazai concluded the scheduled remarks by speaking from the heart on how excited he is that the RISE Program will empower him to continue developing his business ideas. All of the morning鈥檚 speakers shared the excitement in what this inclusive SOAR Initiative will mean for community members, 亚洲AV, and the larger entrepreneurial ecosystem.聽</p> <p>Also in attendance was JK Aier, senior associate dean for academic affairs and global engagement at the School of Business, who has played a vital role in developing this new initiative and has been a key contributor to the strategic vision and formation of partnerships to power its success. 鈥淭he SOAR Initiative provides a holistic model for launching and managing a business, including a <strong>Startup</strong> approach to developing an entrepreneurial mindset, <strong>Opportunities</strong> for community building and business engagement, <strong>Access</strong> to mentoring, and a <strong>Roadmap</strong> to successful outcomes,鈥 said Aier. 鈥淲hat distinguishes this entrepreneurial program from others is its focus on diversity and inclusivity, which are both pillars of the Mason brand.鈥澛犅</p> <p>The grand launch of the SOAR Initiative is a monumental step forward for the School of Business and its focus on advancing social mobility. The initiative鈥檚 innovative format facilitates the transformation of aspiring entrepreneurs and their families who face longstanding structural inequities in accessing training and support resources. The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is truly living up to its name, making a difference in empowering entrepreneurs and driving growth of the region鈥檚 entrepreneurial ecosystem.聽</p> <p>The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is currently recruiting additional volunteer mentors for these aspiring entrepreneurs. Visit the <a href="https://business.gmu.edu/centers/center-innovation-and-entrepreneurship/soar-initiative" target="_blank" title="SOAR Initiative | 亚洲AV School of Business">SOAR Initiative webpage</a> to learn how you can get engaged or <a href="https://securemason.gmu.edu/s/1564/GID2/16/19-giving.aspx?sid=1564&gid=2&pgid=651&cid=1709&bledit=1&sort=1&dids=210.308.753&appealcode=24SBCIE" title="Donate to the RISE Program">donate to the program</a>.聽</p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/12501" hreflang="en">Costello College of Business News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1806" hreflang="en">Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/18491" hreflang="en">SOAR Initiative</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/18496" hreflang="en">RISE Program</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6691" hreflang="en">entrepreneurship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">Campus News</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="a9e517c7-1b5c-4444-ac1d-bbe750d4a3a3"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://business.gmu.edu/centers/center-innovation-and-entrepreneurship/soar-initiative"> <h4 class="cta__title">Learn more about the SOAR Initiative <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </h4> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_associated_people" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-associated-people"> <h2>In This Story</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-associated-people field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">People Mentioned in This Story</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/dean-ajay-vinze" hreflang="en">Ajay Vinz茅</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/jaier" hreflang="en">JK Aier</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/rpierce4" hreflang="en">Rebecca Howick</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/cfickers" hreflang="en">Crystal Fickers</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div> </div> <div> </div> </div> Mon, 25 Sep 2023 14:07:05 +0000 Marianne Klinker 111236 at Shrivastava Family Makes Gift to RISE Program in Support of Refugee and Immigrant Entrepreneurs /news/2023-08/shrivastava-family-makes-gift-rise-program-support-refugee-and-immigrant-entrepreneurs <span>Shrivastava Family Makes Gift to RISE Program in Support of Refugee and Immigrant Entrepreneurs </span> <span><span lang="" about="/user/791" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">Marianne Klinker</span></span> <span>Fri, 08/11/2023 - 11:55</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">With an enrollment representing 130 different countries, 亚洲AV is a welcoming and supportive institution for students from a wide variety of cultures. <a href="https://business.gmu.edu/centers/center-for-innovation-and-entrepreneurship" title="Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 亚洲AV School of Business">The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE)</a>, within <a href="https://business.gmu.edu" title="School of Business | 亚洲AV">Mason鈥檚 School of Business</a>, plays upon the strength of diversity and inclusion by bringing together ideas and perspectives for real solutions that serve the local business community and the world at large.</span></p> <p>This fall, they are launching the <a href="https://business.gmu.edu/centers/center-innovation-and-entrepreneurship/soar-initiative#rise" title="The SOAR Initiative RISE Program | 亚洲AV School of Business">RISE (Refugee and Immigrant Success through Entrepreneurship) Program</a> as a cohort of the center鈥檚 <a href="https://business.gmu.edu/centers/center-innovation-and-entrepreneurship/soar-initiative" title="The SOAR Initiative | 亚洲AV School of Business">SOAR Initiative</a>. Over the span of 11 months each year, the SOAR Initiative is an inclusive entrepreneurship training and support resource for community members. SOAR provides a holistic model for startups and empowers individuals who do not currently have鈥痑dequate access to entrepreneurship training opportunities.鈥疪ISE, in particular, focuses its support on aspiring entrepreneurs from refugee and immigrant backgrounds. The SOAR Initiative will also be introducing programs for aspiring entrepreneurs who are currently in a low socio-economic status, as well as a cohort for people living within rural and emerging communities.聽</p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2023-09/sumeet-shrivastava-web.jpg?itok=HIGC05ZD" width="350" height="350" alt="Sumeet Shrivastava, MBA 鈥94" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Sumeet Shrivastava, MBA 鈥94</figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://business.gmu.edu/centers/center-innovation-and-entrepreneurship/soar-initiative#rise" title="The SOAR Initiative RISE Program | 亚洲AV School of Business">The RISE Program</a> and <a href="https://business.gmu.edu/centers/center-innovation-and-entrepreneurship/soar-initiative" title="The SOAR Initiative | 亚洲AV School of Business">SOAR Initiative</a> are important elements of Dean Ajay Vinz茅鈥檚 vision for the School of Business. Dean Vinz茅 joined Mason in July 2022 and quickly got acclimated by meeting with leaders of the community, including Sumeet Shrivastava, MBA 鈥94. 鈥淎s Dean Vinz茅 came in and presented his vision of the next stage of entrepreneurship education at the School of Business, all the pieces started fitting together,鈥 says Shrivastava, 鈥渁s it represented many elements of the story of my parents鈥 journey as immigrants and entrepreneurs.鈥 In a gesture that proved instrumental to the development of RISE, he and his family have presented a gift of $1.5M to the program.聽聽</p> <p>鈥淢ost universities and business schools in the U.S. have a center for entrepreneurship 鈥 what makes the programs of our SOAR Initiative unique is our focus on inclusive entrepreneurship education,鈥 says Dean Vinz茅. 鈥淩ISE, with its focus on refugees and immigrants, is the first of three programs we are launching to support aspiring entrepreneurs who face longstanding structural inequities in accessing entrepreneurship training and support resources. I am grateful to Sumeet Shrivastava and his family for their continued generosity in supporting our business school鈥檚 vision of facilitating the transformation of entrepreneurs, their families, and our local economies through entrepreneurship.鈥澛</p> <p>Shrivastava, a leader in the government IT industry, has been a resident of Fairfax County for 50 years, about as long as Mason has been an independent university. He鈥檚 witnessed the growth and has acted as a catalyst for much of it as a committed board member, donor, and volunteer for the School of Business and 亚洲AV. He is excited to see the program鈥檚 focus on encouraging members of the refugee and immigrant communities, who have shown interest in entrepreneurship, to pursue their passions. He also acknowledges that many of them are already entrepreneurs at heart.聽 鈥淭he folks who are coming from very difficult situations, are already showing some of the core attributes required of entrepreneurs 鈥 courage, resilience, and expertise from their prior lives,鈥 he says. 鈥淲e can help them get a quicker start into that part of their journey here and help them succeed.鈥澛</p> <p>Consisting of entrepreneurship training, mentorship with an entrepreneur, and consultation with Mason Honors College students, RISE will equip participants with the knowledge and support they need to change the trajectory of their lives and those of their families. School of Business community members have the opportunity to play an integral role in their success by serving as mentors. Mentors will connect with participants every other week in individualized meetings to empower them and offer guidance from their own experiences. By working together and supporting each other鈥檚 successes, the School of Business team aims to facilitate the transformation of refugees and immigrants, their families, and our local economies by empowering them with the ability to thrive at all levels. The program will be a key component of the Mason Virginia Promise to provide a pathway to a bachelor鈥檚 degree or the help to start a business for every Virginian who wants one. Together, Mason is working to revitalize the American Dream. If you would like to lend your support to the RISE Program or the SOAR Initiative, please contact <a href="mailto:soar@gmu.edu" target="_blank" title="email soar@gmu.edu">soar@gmu.edu</a>.聽聽</p> <p>The CIE is proud to partner with <a href="https://lssnca.org/" target="_blank" title="Lutheran Social Services National Capital Area">Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area</a> and the <a href="https://mckennacenter.nd.edu/global-programs/entrepreneurship/urban-poverty-and-business-initiative/" target="_blank" title="Notre Dame Urban Poverty">Notre Dame Urban Poverty Business Initiative</a> on the SOAR Initiative and RISE Program.聽</p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1806" hreflang="en">Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/18491" hreflang="en">SOAR Initiative</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/18496" hreflang="en">RISE Program</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/12501" hreflang="en">Costello College of Business News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">Campus News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/536" hreflang="en">Alumni</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="932f3607-09b8-4e19-b057-ca644cbddff5"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://business.gmu.edu/centers/center-for-innovation-and-entrepreneurship"> <h4 class="cta__title">The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </h4> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="074d98c9-0f2f-488e-8176-f4d358a61c44"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://business.gmu.edu/centers/center-innovation-and-entrepreneurship/soar-initiative#rise"> <h4 class="cta__title">Learn more about RISE <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </h4> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_associated_people" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-associated-people"> <h2>In This Story</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-associated-people field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">People Mentioned in This Story</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/dean-ajay-vinze" hreflang="en">Ajay Vinz茅</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/sumeet-shrivastava" hreflang="en">Sumeet Shrivastava, '94</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div> </div> <div> </div> </div> Fri, 11 Aug 2023 15:55:51 +0000 Marianne Klinker 108341 at