What We Do : Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship : Texas State University

The CIE mission reflects the grit, values and insight the director has accumulated over her many years of working with student entrepreneurs, innovators, and being an entrepreneur herself.

She earned her bachelor's degree in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management and learned first-hand what not to do when working with aspiring entrepreneurs.

There is not a profession similar in the world to being an entrepreneur and this director knows it and lives it.

Quinn Valentine

Director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

MORE ABOUT QUINN

As Program Coordinator, I help Bobcats turn passion into possibility!

I champion student innovation, build community and foster real-world opportunities on campus & beyond.

Kendall Perkinson

Program Coordinator of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

MEET OUR STUDENTS

Our student staff is the heartbeat of success, ensuring ideas are shared and innovation thrives!

Marketing Coordinator

Cadyn Perkins

Cadyn Perkins oversees the marketing initiatives for the CIE’s social media. Perkins ensures posts are timely and cohesive to the brand. Perkins ensures content is both effective and engaging.

Marketing Strategist

Anna Kaic

Anna Kaic coordinates marketing efforts to grow CIE's reach on campus & beyond. She develops outreach, strengthens partnerships & tracks impact for strategic decisions.

SM Campus Manager

Regina Bautista

Regina oversees the management and functions of the Student Made branch. By distributing tasks and maintaining communication, she works to lead a team of student managers ensuring goals are met.

Content Creator

Isabelle Cantu

Isabelle Cantu creates engaging posts for the CIE’s social media. Cantu works with the Marketing Coordinator to maintain a cohesive and creative brand through logo designs and social media posts.

OPFT Program Assistant

Shoadi Henshaw

Shoadi Henshaw assists with facilitating the Open Penny Founder's Table accountability groups and helps organize & support the student founders involved.

SM Marketing Manager

Addi Villegas

Addi Villegas oversees marketing initiatives with the Student Made branch to ensure a consistent and cohesive brand is presented. She works to create engaging content for the social media platforms.

Promotions Coordinator

Grace Darcy

Grace Darcy manages the blog page of the CIE’s website. Darcy interviews and writes blogs to promote events and the community. She ensures posts are informative and the page is engaging to readers.

C2C Architect/Manager

Tyson Rizzo

As the main architect for the C2C Fund, Tyson leads the development by managing applications, coordinating interview and working with key donor stakeholders to shape & grow the fund.

Photographer

Diwas Pandit

Diwas Pandit covers the CIE’s events taking photos that showcase workshops and events. Alongside taking photos, Pandit edits them to be used in the content created by members of the marketing team.

STUDENT STAFF

Our alumni have been the heart of our center's success by bringining valuable insights, dedication and innovation.

Their contributions have shaped our foundation and continue to inspire our future.

Fall 24 Marketing Coordinator

Jillian Kirkley

Digital Media Innovation Graduate, Jillian Kirkley brought a wide array of experience and an optimistic outlook through her mutlifaceted marketing specialty and passion for nonprofits and the arts.

Spring 25 Bobcat Bazaar Manager

Connor Ward

As President of CEO, Connor combined his leadership and digital skills to foster growth to successfully manage the Bobcat Bazaar pop-up for student businesses.

Spring 25 Content Creator

Sydney Nguyen

Creating content and campaigns that directly impact the success of aspiring Texas State entrepreneurs, Sydney used her skills in creative design and digital strategy to support CIE community growth.

Spring 25 Podcast Host

Aaron Soltani

Aaron amplified the voices of Texas State innovators, providing valuable insights and fostering growth within the Center’s mission of empowering entrepreneurship and creativity.

Spring26 Events&Partnerships

Manuel Delgado Gaona

Manny developed & executed consistent pop-ups & promotional events. both on & off campus. He has gained hands-on experience planning, organizing and overseeing robust calendar of events.

Shoadi Henshaw

What We Do