Iona College Launches ‘Designer-in-Residence’ and Makerspace Program  

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BCW member Iona College announced this week that Rob Kissner, Founder and President of the Digital Arts Experience, has joined the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation as its inaugural Designer-in-Residence. Kissner will work on creating a dynamic Makerspace Experience at the Hynes Institute where students can tinker, design, create and build prototypes for new ideas as they strive to solve real-world challenges.   

Iona’s Makerspace Experience will commence during the spring semester, including a dedicated makerspace at the Hynes Institute’s 3,800-square-foot, state-of-the-art coworking and learning space. Pop-up makerspace experiences across campus will also introduce Iona students to the power of making and creating to foster creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. “We are truly delighted to bring these prototyping capabilities to our space on Iona’s campus,” said Christoph Winkler, Ph.D., endowed professor and founding program Director at the Hynes Institute. “Having Rob on board as Designer-in-Residence will help us build an exciting experiential program for our students as we continue to establish ourselves as the leading interdisciplinary entrepreneurship and innovation program in the region.”  

Kissner, who started with the Hynes Institute as an adjunct lecturer in 2018, said he has been extremely impressed with the opportunities that the program has provided to Iona students. “It has truly been an honor to be a part of this incredible place and involved in its growth. The new Designer-in-Residence position brings a whole new level of opportunity to Iona students, providing them with space, tools and support in their exploration of prototyping and making. I think this will play an integral role in providing real-world entrepreneurial experiences and in preparing students to launch their own businesses. I am extremely excited to be taking on this role,” said Kissner. He is also an adjunct lecturer at the Hynes Institute, teaching courses on entrepreneurial mindset, ideation and design thinking.