At the Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE), we believe that every student can make big things happen. This is evident in the incredible impact of our Instructional Aides (IAs). These leaders have spent years creating spaces where ideas ignite, risk-taking is rewarded, and the entrepreneurial mindset comes to life. As the academic year wraps up, we’re proud to honor our 2026 graduating IAs, most of whom joined us as sophomores and never looked back.
Meet Our Class of 2026 IAs:
Chun Ho Chan (BA Communication & Media), Victoria Gasienica (BS Philosophy, Politics & Economics), Siddharth Gupta (BSE Aerospace Engineering), Samantha Jayasundera (BSE Electrical Engineering & Sustainable Engineering, Minor in Entrepreneurship), Sanjana Kulkarni (BS Computer Science, Minor in User Experience Design), Olivia Moxey (BS Chemistry, Minor in Entrepreneurship), and Amelia Zhang (BA Cognitive Science) have all blazed their own trail, supporting ENTR courses and empowering both students and faculty.
The CFE Experience: More Than a Classroom
What does it mean to be an IA at CFE? It means championing creativity, welcoming tough questions, and helping every student find their “aha!” moment. Whether guiding classmates through their first pitch, welcoming a speaker, or sharing real-world advice, our IAs build community and spark transformation.
Here’s what makes the 2026 IAs truly remarkable:
- Chun Ho Chan: With a Communication and Media lens, Chun Ho helped bridge ideas and amplify student voices, making every ENTR course more engaging and accessible.
- Victoria Gasienica: Combining Philosophy, Politics & Economics with Economics, Victoria brought sharp insight and critical thinking to classroom discussions, encouraging students to question, connect, and create.
- Siddharth Gupta: Siddharth applied an engineer’s curiosity to entrepreneurship, guiding teams to think bigger and translate bold concepts into real solutions.
- Samantha Jayasundera: With expertise spanning Electrical Engineering, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Engineering, Samantha inspired students to think sustainably, showing how technical knowledge can drive real change.
- Sanjana Kulkarni: Sanjana’s background in Computer Science and User Experience Design made tech and innovation approachable, empowering peers to build ventures that truly work for people.
- Olivia Moxey: A Chemistry major with a passion for entrepreneurship, Olivia helped students see the STEM-business connection and encouraged them to explore the unknown.
- Amelia Zhang: With Cognitive Science as her foundation, Amelia fostered creative problem-solving and empathy, helping teams approach challenges from fresh angles.
Wise Words for Future IAs and CFE Students
We asked them what they wish someone had told them when they started:
- “Try everything, even if it scares you. CFE is all about learning by doing.”
- “Your network here will change your life: talk to professors, chat with guest speakers, and lean on your peers.”
- “Entrepreneurship is for everyone. You don’t need to start a company to benefit. Entrepreneurship will make you a better thinker, creator, and teammate.”
What’s Next
From media and public service to engineering, chemistry, design, and tech, our amazing grads are heading into new adventures, taking the entrepreneurial mindset with them. We can’t wait to see what they build, solve, and dream up next.
Thank You and Congratulations, Class of 2026 IAs!
Behind every impactful ENTR course is a committed IA. We’re grateful for the creativity, leadership, and positivity our graduates have shared. Wherever you go, know that you carry the spirit of CFE: a culture of possibility, connection, and bold ideas.