On Saturday, August 9, the WISE program officially launched at the Hybla Valley Community Center in Alexandria, Virginia—marking a significant milestone in advancing entrepreneurship and workforce development for aspiring entrepreneurs in Fairfax County.
A key component of the , the Workforce Innovation Success through Entrepreneurship (WISE) program is spearheaded by the within the at 鶹Ƶ. This initiative is made possible through a strategic partnership with Melwood, the W.I.S.H. Center, and the Fairfax County government. Thanks to this powerful collaboration, the WISE program is offered to participants completely free of charge.
, dean of the Costello College of Business, opened the event by emphasizing the power of entrepreneurship to solve problems, build communities, and drive economic growth. “A successful entrepreneur takes an idea, builds a company around it, and makes it profitable,” he said.
The college, named after local entrepreneur Donald G. Costello, is deeply rooted in the belief that entrepreneurship is a vehicle for social impact and upward mobility.
With initiatives like the , the , and the , CIE equips aspiring entrepreneurs with essential training, mentorship, and resources. The center is distinguished for its commitment to opening doors for those traditionally excluded from the entrepreneurship ecosystem through these core programs and the SOAR Initiative.
In addition to WISE, which supports Fairfax County residents, SOAR includes two other targeted efforts: one focused on building entrepreneurial ecosystems in rural and emerging communities, and the other supporting refugees and immigrants through strategic partnerships. The latter, known as the Shrivastava Family Refugee and Immigrant Success through Entrepreneurship (RISE) program, has already had 79 participants complete the entrepreneurship bootcamp training, with approximately 42 new jobs and 17 new businesses created so far.
Rodney Lusk, supervisor of the Franconia District within Fairfax County, was instrumental in envisioning the possibilities for the WISE program. His commitment to make Fairfax County a place where community members can truly thrive is deeply appreciated by the Costello College of Business and all the program stakeholders. On hand to give remarks, along with Dean վԳé, were Larysa Kautz, CEO and president of Melwood; Yolonda Earl-Thompson, community expert and lived experience consultant; Eboni Borden, W.I.S.H. program director; Andres Jordan, WISE program entrepreneurship training instructor; and , director of operations and engagement at CIE.
“Our partnership with Melwood, the W.I.S.H Center, and Fairfax County is an incredible opportunity to expand our social impact within the region,” says Howick.
“The SOAR Initiative’s holistic approach to small business development creates new pipelines for community members that aren’t already part of the ecosystem. We are revitalizing hope, transforming lives, and boosting our economy."
— Rebecca Howick, director of operations and engagement at the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The launch of the WISE program marks a powerful step forward in harnessing the transformative potential of entrepreneurship rooted in community. By uniting visionary leaders, strategic partners, and leveraging internal and external entrepreneurial resources, this initiative empowers individuals to shape their own futures while strengthening the fabric of the region. As the SOAR Initiative continues to expand its reach, it reaffirms a vital truth: when entrepreneurship is made accessible, it becomes a force for resilience and shared prosperity.