O'Pake Institute Services

Academic Services

The Academic Services division of the O'Pake Institute pairs faculty and staff innovators with students and community partners to enhance scholarship through collaborative, non-traditional support. Programs within the division are designed to create a cooperative learning environment that advances faculty research and staff goals while providing students with dedicated experiential learning opportunities beyond classroom and laboratory settings. Combining faculty expertise, staff knowledge, and student enthusiasm with external support and resources facilitated by the O’Pake Institute, we are developing a model for successful student-faculty/staff partnerships that enhance the achievements of both entities and contribute to the overall academic excellence of Alvernia University.

Academic Service Outcomes:

• Promote a culture of experiential learning at Alvernia University with unique opportunities for students to collaborate with faculty, staff, and community partners.
• Align faculty, staff, and students with community partner needs and resources to supplement projects with non-traditional external support.
  Enhance faculty research and staff goals by harnessing students' energy and creativity, leading to increased scholarly output and broader community impact.
• Foster meaningful connections between faculty, staff, students, and community partners by creating collaborative spaces for shared intellectual pursuits, mentorship opportunities, and academic fellowship at Alvernia and beyond.

Interested in learning more? Contact Jamie Becker, Director of Academic Services at jamie.becker@alvernia.edu.

Business Services

The O’Pake Institute offers an array of services to support entrepreneurs, small and established for profit and nonprofit businesses. The Institute’s experienced staff, in conjunction with undergraduate and graduate students selected for the O’Pake Fellows Program, work directly with businesses in the areas listed below.

This list is comprehensive but does not include all the services offered through the Institute. If the Institute cannot directly support a business, we work directly with other trusted professional service providers to ensure that the business receives the support required to start, grow and thrive.  

O’Pake is dedicated to collaborating with businesses to create innovative solutions, a process we refer to as Project #6. While the "first five" projects on any to-do list are high-priority and time-sensitive, the sixth project remains essential yet often lacks sufficient resources for completion. This is where we step in to help.
 

Business Planning

The O’Pake Institute provides technical support and business planning services to aspiring entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations, and small business owners, helping them navigate challenges, optimize operations, and achieve sustainable growth.

• Business Model Canvasing (For-Profit)
• Business Model Canvasing (Non-Profit)
• Business Plan Development
• Feasibility Analysis
• Nonprofit Advising
   

Creative Service

The O’Pake Institute provides creative services designed to support entrepreneurs, small and established businesses. These services cater to any business in need of creative support, marketing services, advice, and resources. Through student-powered services and professional service providers, The O’Pake Institute ensures innovative solutions for clients as they develop their businesses.

• Logo Development
• Market Research
• Opportunity Assessment
• Social Media Marketing
• SWOT Analysis
• Traditional Marketing
• Website Development
   

Financial Services

Through its unique relationships and partnerships, the O’Pake Institute provides financial services designed to support businesses and foster professional growth. These services cater to any business in need of financial support, advice, and resources. By leveraging its staff and partners, The O’Pake Institute promotes financial education and security for clients as they develop their businesses.

• Financial Projections
• Financial Budgeting and Planning
• Preparation for Financial Lending/Grants
• Financial Operations Guidance
• Venture Investment
   

Technology Transfer

The O’Pake Institute’s technology transfer office (TTO) allows businesses in Berks County and beyond to save time and funds on intellectual property (IP) management. It is managed by a student-powered intellectual property committee, which assists companies and entrepreneurs through the process of making the proper advancements regarding patents, trademarks, trade secrets and copyright.

• Feasibility Analysis
• IP Acquisition
• IP Management
• IP Search
• IP Strategy
• Product and Prototype Development