Centenary’s competitive business team presented on the University’s new Institute of Entrepreneurship, which provides professional consulting services to small businesses.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., June 19, 2025—Centenary University’s competitive business team, Enactus, recently placed third at the 2025 Enactus USA National Exposition in Kansas City, Missouri. The event brought together competitors from 15 states and showcased the work of some of the brightest young social entrepreneurs around the country pitching innovative solutions to critical global challenges.

Centenary Enactus Director Linda Poisseroux, Ph.D., noted that the team’s third place finish is the highest since she began coaching Enactus a decade ago and ties the highest finish by Centenary SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise), a predecessor to Enactus. In addition, the team is the third representing the University this year to distinguish itself at a national competition, said Centenary University President Dale Caldwell, Ed.D.: “This year, three Centenary University teams—Enactus and our IHSA and IDA equine teams—all placed in the top four at national competitions. That’s outstanding, especially for a small university facing well-funded schools like Princeton and the University of Wisconsin. At nationals, Centenary Enactus placed among the country’s best universities—a testament to their hard work and a campus environment that presents exceptional learning opportunities to every student.”

After an impressive presentation at finals, Centenary Enactus member Alexandra Zeich ’26 knew the team had made University history. “I just had a gut feeling,” said Zeich, a finance major. “In our hearts we knew that we had placed well. Still, we were one of the smaller schools at the competition, so to be announced in the top three was surreal.” In addition to Zeich, other members of the presentation team are Liz Asuncion ’25, Giulianna Falquez ’25, Kayla Sampong ’26, Jasmine Sampong ’26, and MBA student Michael Young ’21.

Falquez, who recently graduated from Centenary with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Social Media Marketing, magna cum laude, said, “Having Enactus on my resume is not something that I just write. I will share everything I’ve learned and will apply it in the workforce.”  

Centenary Enactus focused its presentation on the Centenary University Institute of Entrepreneurship, which was founded in spring 2024. Staffed by Centenary faculty and students, the Institute hosts business development seminars and provides consulting for small businesses, veterans, women, and other constituents in northwestern New Jersey. In its first year, the Institute made a direct impact on 533 people and an indirect impact on 180 people, generating a $24,347 profit through events, sponsorships, fundraising, and grants, according to the 2024-2025 Enactus Annual Report.

The Institute of Entrepreneurship has elevated the professionalism of the team, as well as classwork produced by students at Centenary, according to Dr. Poisseroux, who is the director of the Institute. In addition, advisors like Dr. Caldwell, Dean of the School of Business, Media, and Writing Cheryl Veronda, and business leader Drew Wintemberg, who is secretary of the Centenary Board of Trustees, now regularly drop in to help coach the Enactus team.

“The Institute has provided us with a more professional learning environment,” explained Dr. Poisseroux, an associate professor of business. “It sets a different tone. There’s a new energy within the Institute and the feedback our students receive is really enriched at a much higher level. Academically, the work I’m seeing from the Enactus team and other students has been elevated—and there’s no better proof than what we accomplished at competition.”

In addition to Enactus nationals, the team received a first-time invitation to UPitchNJ, a statewide collegiate business competition in May organized by the New Jersey Collegiate Entrepreneurship Consortium to showcase innovative startups. The event provided yet another opportunity for Centenary Enactus members to refine their presentation skills, said Jenna Glinko ’23/25, an Enactus alumna who is now assistant director of the Institute: “Through the Institute, Centenary is doing things that just weren’t possible before. We even made a profit in our first year, which is remarkable. But for me, it’s all about the students. I just couldn’t be prouder of the team and how far they’ve come.”

             Up next for Enactus and the Institute of Entrepreneurship are plans to host the second annual Small Business Summit on Sept. 15, expanding consulting services, and of course, planning for next year’s Enactus nationals. Zeich said: “I think we placed so well because we have an advantage over larger schools, where there are 200 students in a lecture. At big universities, you’re just a number. Here at Centenary, every student is a valued asset. We take that and run with it—Centenary builds students up in so many ways.”

ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY

Centenary University offers extraordinary learning opportunities that empower students to develop intellectually, emotionally, and interculturally—keys to career and personal success. Under the leadership of President Dale Caldwell, Ed.D., the University aspires to advance its reputation as a world class institution offering innovative programs, including the world’s first Master of Arts in Happiness Studies, to lift the future for our students and local communities.