University Students Participate in the America250 PA Direct Effect Innovation Challenge
(From left) Back row: Liam Pietraszewski, Advertising major, ‘21, Erika Witt, Social Media and Strategic Communication major, ‘22, Kiego Saito, Entrepreneurship major, ‘20, Alex Pugliese, Entrepreneurship major, ‘22, Brendan Cox major, Entrepreneurship, ‘23, and Emmanuel Bisono, Entrepreneurship major, ‘23.Front row: Dr. Ahmed Gomaa, The University of Scranton, Donna Sedor, The Arc of Luzerne County, Stephanie Longo, Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Stacy Smulowitz, The University of ScrantonThe University of Scranton participated in the America250 PA Direct Effect Innovation Challenge (Campus Round) with two student teams comprised of students from different academic departments from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Kania School of Management. The University is proud to be part of the effort to celebrate the rich history and diversity of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on the occasion of its semiquincentennial in 2026.
The students engaged in design thinking and brainstorm exercises to share idea and synthesized and created concepts. Community judges included Stephanie Longo, director of Marketing and Communications at the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and Donna Sedor, executive director of the Arc of Luzerne County. Faculty representatives, Stacy Smulowitz, assistant professor of Communication and Ahmed Gomaa, associate professor of Operations and Information Management, and director of the Entrepreneurship Program had recruited and supported the student participants.
Per the judges’ guidance and suggestions, the winning team at The University of Scranton was a combination of the two teams, bringing the different ideas together into one innovative and interdisciplinary approach. The concept is called “Packaging PA” and includes a subscription box that allows people to celebrate and rediscover America by attaining a slice of what it’s like to live in the Keystone state. The subscriptions are integrated by “FINDE America250PA,” a platform where users are rewarded for posting America250 material on social media. The more likes, follows, and shares they get, the more prizes they earn, thus turning users into brand influencers for America250.
The final University of Scranton winning team includes:
Liam Pietraszewski, advertising major, ‘21, Erika Witt, social media and strategic communication major, ‘22, Kiego Saito, entrepreneurship major, ‘20, Alex Pugliese, entrepreneurship major, ‘22, Brendan Cox, entrepreneurship major, ‘23, and Emmanuel Bisono, entrepreneurship major, ‘23.
The team will now move on to the regional competition to be held on Oct. 26.
