The Chair of the Department of CDAE is thrilled to announce that CDAE and HULA have entered a year-long strategic partnership designed to expand experiential learning, strengthen community connections, and support Vermont’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“This partnership creates meaningful opportunities for our students to engage directly with Vermont’s innovation economy,” said Dr. Jason Konefal, Chair of CDAE. “By working alongside entrepreneurs and hosting events in dynamic professional spaces, our students gain real-world experience that complements their academic work.”

Through the partnership, HULA will provide a venue space for the inaugural CDAE Student Showcase in the Reef in Spring 2026. The Showcase is being organized by CDAE Internship Coordinator Kerry Daigle.

“We are so excited to spotlight the incredible internship experiences our students have been part of this year,” said Kerry Daigle, CDAE Internship Coordinator. “From architecture and community development to marketing, sustainability, and public service, our students are applying what they’ve learned in meaningful, real-world settings. This showcase is a celebration of their hard work, their professional growth, and the strong partnerships we’ve built with organizations across Vermont and beyond. I’m excited for our community to see the depth and range of what our students are accomplishing and the impact they’re beginning to make in their fields.”

The collaboration also creates meaningful day-to-day connections between students and the entrepreneurial community. Daigle will have a dedicated workspace at HULA, helping strengthen relationships between students and the organizations shaping Vermont’s innovation economy. Students and faculty will have access to corporate day passes, campus tours, and opportunities to work and network on-site.

HULA will also host classes, including Dr. Andrew Van Leuven’s CENT senior capstone class, offering both space and guest speaker support. Dedicated workshop space will allow CDAE programming to take place directly within HULA’s dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem, bringing learning and practice together in real time.

“CDAE is the community entrepreneurship program, and that distinction matters,” said Dr. Andrew Van Leuven. “We support students whether they’re building an app that could become the next big thing or launching a locally rooted business with deep social impact. From my interactions with Lucia and the rest of the HULA team, I can tell they share that same commitment. They have a track record of successfully incubating high-growth ventures, and they’re also invested in giving back to Burlington and Vermont’s broader entrepreneurial community. That alignment makes this partnership a natural fit.”

In return, CDAE will contribute its own expertise to the HULA community. Faculty and students will offer professional workshops and provide capstone-level consulting and research support to HULA companies and members. This applied work gives students hands-on experience while delivering meaningful value to local businesses.

“This partnership reflects what CDAE does best,” said Dr. Jason Konefal. “Connecting classroom learning with real-world impact. Our students will gain incredible exposure to Vermont’s startup community, and in turn, they’ll bring research, strategy, and creativity into that space.”