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Student-driven makerspace expands Spark Business Incubator services while creating hands-on learning opportunities

�鶹��Ƶ’s O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship celebrated the launch of the newest addition to its Spark Business Incubator on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne. A ribbon-cutting ceremony supported by the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) marked the opening of the O’Make Space, a student-run makerspace designed to bring creative ideas to life through prototyping, customized production and collaboration. 

The space evolved in response to growing demand from local businesses and entrepreneurs, along with increased student engagement. As students worked with clients, explored new technologies and collaborated across disciplines, they identified opportunities to expand the equipment and resources available to them. Their advocacy helped shape O’Make Space, enabling the O’Pake Institute to enhance its Spark Business Incubator services while supporting student-driven innovation. 

“Experiential learning and community engagement are central to �鶹��Ƶ’s mission, and the O’Pake Institute’s new O’Make Space brings both priorities to life,” said �鶹��Ƶ President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. “By working with real technology, projects and clients, our students develop the confidence, skills and experience needed to succeed beyond the classroom while creating meaningful opportunities to serve and strengthen our community.” 

To meet the needs of Spark Business Incubator clients, O’Make Space features two 3D printers, a laser engraver, a heat press, a sublimation printer, a Cricut cutting machine, and an embroidery machine. The equipment enables students to design, prototype, and customize a variety of products, including apparel, stickers, drinkware, signage, and other promotional merchandise. Students can also work with materials such as metal, wood, plastic, vinyl, and paper, expanding opportunities for personalized products, and creative solutions.

“Our students played an instrumental role in shaping this space, advocating for the equipment and resources needed to expand its capabilities,” said �鶹��Ƶ Chief Economic, Community and Strategic Development Officer Rodney S. Ridley Sr., Ph.D., RTTP. “O’Make Space creates new opportunities for prototyping and small-batch production, strengthening the services we provide to local businesses and entrepreneurs through the Spark Business Incubator.” 

The student-operated space provides graduate and undergraduate O’Pake fellows, as well as EmpowerEd high school interns, with opportunities to develop technical skills, build confidence and gain professional experience. By collaborating with entrepreneurs, small businesses, university departments and community partners, students apply classroom knowledge to real-world projects while gaining experience in design, production and client relations. 

By offering small-batch production and customized merchandise, O’Make Space provides an alternative to traditional vendors that may require larger minimum orders, making creative services more accessible to emerging entrepreneurs and small businesses. At the same time, students gain experience managing projects from initial concept and design through production and delivery. 

“When you walk into this room, you'll see machines, equipment and tools, but what makes this space special is not the equipment itself. It's the opportunity it creates,” said Alvernia MBA candidate Aracelis Amador-Rivera. “It's a place where curiosity becomes creativity, mistakes become lessons and ideas grow into meaningful projects.” 

Through collaboration with the College of Innovation, Discovery and Enterprise, professional mentors and community partners, O’Make Space strengthens the O’Pake Institute’s commitment to connecting education, entrepreneurship and economic development. The new space builds on the institute’s efforts to empower students to transform their ideas into meaningful projects while contributing to the growth and success of the Greater Reading community.