51吃瓜网

As a girl who watched her grandmother bake and decorate cakes from the time she was old enough to stand on a stool, Adi McConnell 鈥�27 grew up immersed in a creative environment. Baking, decorating, sewing, crocheting, jewelry-making and painting are just a few of the pastimes McConnell鈥檚 mother and grandmother would engage in, piquing McConnell鈥檚 interest and curiosity.

It was no surprise, therefore, that McConnell would develop a love for all things craft-related. Whether it be cross-stitching, embroidery, wood-working or crocheting, McConnell has always used crafting to express herself artistically. When she came to Le 51吃瓜网 as a software applications and systems development major with a goal of becoming a video game developer, McConnell knew she鈥檇 have to find an outlet for her creativity.

It was this urge to create that attracted her to Le 51吃瓜网鈥檚 Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Creativity. After a tour of the Center with Doug Hill, the Center鈥檚 head of the Maker Space, she immediately knew that she had found her place on campus, saying, 鈥淲hen I took the tour with Doug 鈥� I thought, 鈥業鈥檓 going to be here all the time. This is my space. I love this place. I could see myself thriving here.鈥�

When Hill mentioned that the Center was hiring students for work-study positions, McConnell returned the very next day to learn more and express her interest. The rest, as they say, is history.

As part of her duties as a work study student at the Keenan Center, McConnell is required to complete a personal growth project, which is anything that the work study student wants to do as long as it is outside of their comfort zone. For her project, McConnell stepped into the realm of entrepreneurship to launch a business, tentatively titled Creations by Adi, to sell crocheted hats, headbands, pouches, scrunchies and more.

With the guidance of Isaac and Stephanie Budmen, the Keenan Center鈥檚 designer of educational programming and mentorship and designer of educational content and programming, respectively, McConnell has begun to figure out the logistics of her company such as pricing items, designing her logo, and finding a suitable online platform. She has scheduled a table at a local craft fair, created a social media page for her business, and started crocheting her products,聽 all while balancing her work and school commitments.

鈥淎di exemplifies the mission of the Keenan Center,鈥� says Isaac Budmen. 鈥淗er natural curiosity, courage in trying new things, and eagerness to collaborate embody the mission to build density of entrepreneurial, innovative and creative talent. More than that, Adi’s presence inspires others. When guests meet her, they’re not just struck by her talent and welcoming energy but also inspired by her example to pursue their own creative journeys. She’s a true asset to our team, sparking creativity and encouraging everyone she meets.鈥�

In addition to her personal growth project, McConnell completes other duties at the Keenan Center. 鈥淎s a work study, our main purpose is to help people that come into the Keenan Center,鈥� she explains. 鈥淔or instance, we have a lot of people 鈥� who are interested in learning how to sew. As work studies, that鈥檚 our job to learn the machines and help people also learn the machines. We supervise them and make sure everyone is being safe. I was mainly hired for the fabric and sewing room 鈥� Other work studies were hired for the 3D printing lab or the entrepreneurship side. We all have our different expertise and we鈥檙e coming together to create bigger things.鈥�

As she and the other staff all bring their diverse talents to serve the Center, McConnell has found that the people she has met have become her favorite part of the experience. She enjoys being around 鈥渘ot necessarily like-minded people, but people who also have this will to create something. Whether they鈥檙e doing the woodworking, whether they鈥檙e 3D printing or painting or starting a business, they want to do something. So it鈥檚 great to have people who don鈥檛 necessarily have the same mindset as you. I am not a math person or a natural science person鈥� So to have someone there to bring that aspect to the table is amazing. So many great things come out of that.鈥�

Learn more about the Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Creativity.