HARRISBURG, PA – The Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) at Harrisburg University of Science & Technology (HU) has received the 2025 Inspiring Programs in Business Award from Insight Into Diversity Magazine. According to Insight Into Diversity:

“The Inspiring Programs in Business Award recognizes institutions who are advancing inclusive excellence and belonging in areas such as accounting, economics, entrepreneurship, management, finance, marketing, hospitality management, international business, human resource management, and business administration programs. The Award acknowledges the importance of leadership role models and honors those whose efforts are exemplary.”

How CIE Supports PA’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Since its founding in 2019, the CIE has received over 300 applications for startups, delivered over 25 programs, supported more than 50 business ideas, incubated 21 companies, and assisted in raising over $10 million in investments.

“The complex nature of today’s innovations requires teams of people with diverse skills,” said Jay Jayamohan, Executive Director of the CIE. “And healthy startup communities rely upon unencumbered information flows organized in network-based structures. I’m proud of the CIE’s growing influence and the progress we’ve made in fostering a thriving business environment by being the hub of Central Pennsylvania’s startup network. We knew back in 2019 that the region needed direction and vision to empower underserved communities of entrepreneurs. What better home than this wonderfully diverse university? HU’s strong STEM focus and mission of accessibility brings a unique perspective to economic development.”

Insight Into Diversity selected the CIE because of its continuing mission to provide invaluable resources to entrepreneurs and continually implement new programs – including Accelerator for Military, Blend@CIE, Hackathons, launchU, Technology for All, and ongoing incubation of startups – all aimed at supporting diverse founders and helping them turn their ideas into successful ventures. The CIE supports these untapped communities and unheralded inventors by providing tailored resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities.

Harrisburg University Interim President, Dave Schankweiler, noted:

“As founding chairman and now interim president at Harrisburg University, CIE has been close to my heart from its earliest days. I think what the CIE team does – not just here in Central Pennsylvania but far beyond – is nothing short of extraordinary. CIE’s launchU startup competition gathers brilliant inventors and innovators from across the world, bringing new ideas to the fore and helping young people of all backgrounds find their voice and momentum. HU’s academic experiences are built to support economic development, relentless innovation, and prosperity through inquiry. CIE complements that mission beautifully. I’d like to thank my colleagues at the CIE and across HU for their important work – and for doing it with a keen eye on bringing opportunity to underserved populations and economically disadvantaged areas. It’s been an incredible five years for the CIE, and I can’t wait to see where the future takes them!”

Together with Harrisburg University, CIE is actively strengthening the fabric of Pennsylvania in several ways: distributing seed money to get minority-owned businesses off the ground; scaling up entrepreneurship programs for emerging founders; developing market research and testing capabilities for solving real-world technology challenges; providing student-engagement initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, foster problem-solving skills, and drive STEM excitement in schools; and guiding next-generation entrepreneurs with a spirit of inclusion and equity in Central PA’s growing startup ecosystem.

“We know that business programs are not always recognized for their success, dedication, and mentorship for underrepresented students,” said Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of Insight Into Diversity Magazine. “We are thrilled to recognize those that prioritize inclusive excellence and belonging and create pathways for students who seek careers in a wide range of business sectors. We are proud to honor these programs as role models for other institutions of higher education and beyond.”

CIE’s History of Success

In 2023, TIME Magazine honored Naqi Logix – one of the CIE’s founding companies – by naming their Naqi Earbuds one of the best inventions of the year. These innovative “neural earbuds” provide a non-invasive alternative to brain implants, allowing disabled wearers to carry out everyday tasks most people take for granted, like playing games, composing emails, and paying bills. In 2024, Naqi received the coveted Gold Edison Award for social and cultural impact.

The Arcana Recovery app, created by Sharina Johnson, is another CIE success story. As a girl, Sharina was inspired by her father to enlist in the Army Reserve and was eventually deployed to Iraq. Her return to civilian life didn’t go smoothly, however. It was also far from atypical. “I didn't know it at the time, but I was suffering from PTSD,” she said in a 2022 interview with NBC News. According to the National Institutes of Health, 1 in 10 veterans seeking care at the VA satisfy criteria for substance-abuse disorder. Sharina’s Arcana Recovery app helps those recovering from PTSD find structure and support even after they leave rehab and therapy. Relapse is a real danger for those with substance abuse disorders, but Arcana makes reentry into the real world more welcoming and forgiving. Arcana uses AI to stop relapse in its tracks and helps individuals connect with others – like counselors and therapists or fellow PTSD patients – who believe in them, share their struggle, and provide support to help them prevent relapse.

Together, the CIE and HU are training the next generation of science-minded entrepreneurs and creating ideal conditions for technological advancements and scientific discoveries to flourish. Get in touch today to learn more about CIE’s mission or to become a sponsor.

ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY

Harrisburg University was recently recognized by US News & World Report as one of the nation’s most innovative colleges. HU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in the fields of science, technology, and mathematics. For additional information about HU’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter).