The Johnnies Blog
How St. John’s Students Turn Big Ideas into Real-World Impact
At St. John’s University, students are empowered with hands-on learning opportunities to build skills, gain valuable mentorship, and turn visionary ideas into action. One standout event is the business pitch competition known as the Johnnies Innovation Challenge.
In this Q&A, we hear from the three winning student teams of the 2025 Johnnies Innovation Challenge. They share the inspiration behind their business ideas, the skills they gained through participating, and how experiences like this are helping shape their futures.
Making an Impact through Social Entrepreneurship: UN Leader Insights
Are you ready to create a positive impact through social entrepreneurship? In this video, Gina Lucarelli, leader of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Accelerator Labs, the world’s largest learning network, explains how social innovation, sustainable development, and global collaboration can tackle pressing challenges and ignite positive change. Whether you look to launch a startup or scale your impact, this conversation equips you with the tools and motivation to make a real-world difference.
Entrepreneurship Development Success Story: Meet Albert Bateh
Albert Bateh ’16TCB, a graduate of The Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John’s University, is a noteworthy alumnus renowned for his inspiring journey in entrepreneurship development. Born into a family running a flourishing textile business for over a century, Mr. Bateh grew up with a strong interest in the field. During his senior year at the University, he launched his first venture, EZ-Net Hair Care, which began his successful entrepreneurial journey.
Student Leaders Launch Consulting Club to Empower Small Businesses
When two business students were looking for early consulting opportunities at St. John's University, they decided to create their own path forward. Now Cecilia Bottino and Jeondo Lee's groundbreaking Consulting Club and Consult Your Community chapter are transforming how students gain real-world experience while supporting small businesses.