CUBEs program takes students into the working world

Anna Dykhoff, ’26, enrolled in an English class on grant writing hoping to learn a new skill. By the end of the semester, she was able to add even more to her resume.

The class challenged students to work with A&A Metro Transportation to support its �����ؿ���Ƶ Cares on-demand public transit system for town residents and BSU students. And, thanks to connections she made, Anna is a summer intern for the organization.

“It blossomed from something I thought was just a class into a career opportunity,” she said.

That’s just one of the many benefits of BSU’s Collaborative University Business Experiences (CUBEs) program. In CUBEs classes such as this one taught by Dr. Lisa Litterio, students work with local organizations on semester-long projects that are embedded within the course.

Students visited A&A Metro’s offices and the Senior Center and met with users of the service. They established a TikTok account, produced Instagram posts and wrote a federal grant proposal for �����ؿ���Ƶ Cares, which is currently funded by the state, town of �����ؿ���Ƶ and BSU. They even received feedback on the proposal from Congressman Bill Keating’s staff.

“It’s mirroring what the workplace is about and what the world is about,” said Litterio, who hopes the course helps students expand their writing and career horizons. “It’s seeing the classroom as a place to do grant writing.”

Students embraced the opportunity and responsibility that comes with a project whose impact stretched far beyond the classroom.

“It’s very rewarding,” said Cam Rodericks, a marketing major who expects to finish his degree in the fall. “I’m learning something I can apply to real life.”

Dasia Peters, ’24, added: “I feel like I’m actually doing something that has a greater purpose. Just the thought of being able to actually get funding that can help the community is really motivating to me.”

Dasia, a communication studies major and member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, hopes to use her new skills to help her tribe apply for federal grants.

Anna, who focused in class on enhancing �����ؿ���Ƶ Cares’ social media accounts, looks forward to growing A&A Metro’s online presence during her internship.

“We’re being trusted as professionals,” Anna said of the course. “It’s not work just to get a grade.”

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

It blossomed from something I thought was just a class into a career opportunity.

When business leaders need advice on overcoming fundamental challenges, they are finding valuable input from a new source: �����ؿ���Ƶ State University students.

Several companies are part of BSU’s new Collaborative University Business Experiences, or CUBEs. CUBEs bring real-world problems into the classroom, allowing students to complete projects for clients. The work complements course curriculum.

“It was nice knowing that the work we were doing was going to benefit a real company,” said Andrea Weng, ’22, who participated in CUBEs in two classes and interned for the initiative. “I was really grateful I was able to do it.”

The initiative, supported by a BSU academic innovation grant, began last year as business faculty sought new ways to prepare students for careers.

One of the participating businesses, Meditech, completed two CUBEs, which allowed students to study what prospective employers sought in a job and analyze current workers’ sense of inclusion and belonging.

“It was a really good opportunity for us to gain some fresh perspectives and insight,” said Shannon Laingen, senior manager of recruiting and staff development at the medical records software company that employs more than 200 BSU alumni. “I personally enjoyed hearing from the students and their enthusiasm and willingness to help us solve a problem.”

Because CUBEs are infused in classes, they offer experiential learning without added time commitment. This is particularly important for students working multiple jobs who may struggle to fit in internships, said Dr. Xiangrong Liu, an associate professor in the Department of Management and Marketing.

“This will give them more opportunities,” said Liu. “Students are improving their communication and problem-solving skills. It’s really helpful for them to launch their careers.”

Business professors hope to see CUBEs expand to other colleges. While courses must be adapted to include the project, the results are impressive, they said.

"The outcome is more than a grade,” said Dr. Stephanie Jacobsen, an assistant professor of management and marketing. “It increases the stakes a little bit, but that increases student buy-in. Students are far more engaged.”

Andrea, who helped devise a virtual Mad Libs-like game for event producer Interactive Entertainment Group, appreciated having this opportunity as a student.

“It wasn’t like you were going to get fired,” said the marketing major from Quincy. “You got to practice things and have the experience.”

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.

The outcome is more than a grade. It increases the stakes a little bit, but that increases student buy-in. Students are far more engaged.