Skyline College is once again celebrating innovation, creativity, and student entrepreneurship during its 11th annual Business Expo Week, hosted by the Business, Entrepreneurship & Management Department. This year’s event highlights the talent and determination of 80 high school seniors from the Middle College program, each showcasing their own student-created businesses.
Throughout the event, students present business ideas that reflect months of planning, collaboration, and hands-on learning both inside and outside the classroom. These projects are the culmination of their academic journey in the program, blending foundational business concepts with real-world application and experience. Attendees can expect to see a wide range of creative ideas, from unique culinary creations and refreshing beverages to thoughtfully crafted accessories and sustainable fashion pieces, all reflecting innovation and personal expression, while offering a dynamic glimpse into the next generation of entrepreneurs.
One especially unique aspect of this year’s expo is the collaboration between Middle College students and Professor Jennifer Merrill’s psychology class. Through this partnership, psychology students provided thoughtful and constructive feedback on marketing materials and business commercials created by the Middle College entrepreneurs. Their insights helped refine messaging, strengthen branding, and highlight key strengths in each business’s presentation, ultimately enhancing the overall quality and impact of the students’ marketing efforts.
The success of Business Expo Week is made possible in part by the department’s Student Ambassadors (Bryan Rodas Cifuentes, Nikki Lee, Aiden Moe, and Evangeline Gorostiza), who have played an active role in preparing for the event. These student leaders have worked behind the scenes to organize logistics, support students, and create an engaging and professional environment to ensure the expo’s success. They also took the lead in facilitating and guiding the workshops, demonstrating strong leadership throughout the week. Their guidance and dedication not only enhance the experience for participants, but also reflect the collaborative spirit of the Business, Entrepreneurship & Management Department.
The event is organized by Professor Soledad McCarthy, a dedicated Business professor who has been instrumental in growing the expo into what it is today. Through her leadership, McCarthy has intentionally transformed Business Expo Week into a student-led event, empowering students to take ownership of both the planning and execution of its many components. Under her guidance, the event has expanded in both scale and impact, providing more opportunities for students to share their work and connect with the campus community. What began as an initiative supported by the President’s Innovation Fund (PIF) has evolved into a signature Skyline College tradition that celebrates and fosters student achievement, creativity, and innovative thinking. Today, the event is supported by Changing the Face of Entrepreneurship within the Business, Entrepreneurship & Management Department, along with the Strategic Partnerships in Workforce Development (SPWD) Division, under the leadership of Acting Dean Lindsey Ayotte.
In preparation for the Middle College student showcases, the Business, Entrepreneurship & Management Department featured 8 workshops designed to support the aspiring student entrepreneurs, and led by the department’s diligent Student Ambassadors. These interactive sessions provided valuable tools and insights for students at all stages of their business journey. Workshop topics included: Idea Generation & Marketing, Logo Creation, Sustainability, and Customer Service & Sales. These workshops simultaneously complemented the student presentations and helped them develop practical skills that can be applied beyond the classroom.
The week will come to an end with the highly anticipated Vendor Fair on April 9th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Quad. During this fair, students will bring their businesses to life through interactive displays, giving attendees the opportunity to engage directly with young entrepreneurs, learn more about their ideas, and support their products and services. The Vendor Fair creates a vibrant marketplace atmosphere on campus and serves as a highlight of the week’s activities.
As Skyline College continues to foster a culture of innovation and hands-on learning, Business Expo Week stands as a shining example of what students can achieve when given the tools, guidance, and opportunity to bring their ideas to life. With growing participation and continued community support, the event not only exhibits student success, but also inspires future entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into reality.
Special thanks to the Associated Students of Skyline College (ASSC) for their generous sponsorship of Mister Softee, providing students and faculty with a refreshing treat during the
event. The department also extends its sincere appreciation to the Strategic Partnerships in Workforce Development (SPWD) Division and Acting Dean Lindsey Ayotte for their continued support in funding and advancing Business Expo Week. This event would not be possible without the dedication of the Student Ambassadors, whose leadership and behind-the-scenes efforts brought the week to life, as well as Professors Soledad McCarthy and Grace Beltran from the Business, Management, & Entrepreneurship Department for their guidance, vision, and commitment to student success.
Article by Evangeline Gorostiza
Photographs by Adam Rodriguez
