At Adelphi’s Innovation Center, students find a remarkable place to share their projects, research and goals for the future.
When Adelphi students talk about the Innovation Center, one word is consistently mentioned: community.
Located inside Swirbul Library, the Center doesn’t feel like your usual classroom—it’s a flexible space designed to meet the needs of all students. The Center supports hands-on projects, research and creative work while offering opportunities to engage with leading-edge technologies in its key focus areas: artificial intelligence, extended reality and digital studies. Some students come to experiment with cutting-edge technology, while others arrive seeking a space to think differently and connect across disciplines.
“The mission of the Innovation Center is to empower the University community via interdisciplinary thinking and leading-edge technology in order to take on the challenges of our ever-changing world,” said Lee Stemkoski, PhD, director of the Innovation Center and professor and associate chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. “We inspire, support and showcase innovative and interdisciplinary activities within the University and in cooperation with industry and community partners.”
That mission comes to life every day—making the Innovation Center one of the most dynamic spots on campus.
A Place for All Majors to Gather
For Katelyn Schwab ’25, who majored in psychology and minored in social work, the Innovation Center wasn’t an obvious destination. She first walked in while reporting a story for The Delphian, Adelphi’s student newspaper. That one assignment led her to a campus job and eventually a deeper connection to the Center.
“As a psychology major, I wasn’t sure if I’d feel like I fit in at a space that seemed focused on tech and innovation. But when I got there, I immediately felt accepted,” Schwab said. It was one of the few places on campus where your major didn’t matter. That sense of inclusion and creative freedom really drew me in.”
Schwab said the Center gave her confidence and leadership skills she plans to carry into her future career in counseling. “It felt alive and personal in a way that traditional classroom learning rarely does,” she said.
A “Third Space” for Big Ideas
Ovundah Okene Jr., an interdisciplinary major in mathematics, art and computer science, describes the Center as a “third space”—somewhere between home and the classroom.
“It’s an ambient space like a coffee shop,” Okene said. “Ultimately the atmosphere is calm and inviting for all regardless of majors.”
One moment in particular that stuck with him was watching high school students tackle wildfire prediction during a hackathon in which they came up with a database model to track vegetation and forecast fire paths. “The determination in their eyes to complete their work in the time crunch, high-pressure event was inspiring,” Okune said.
That same spirit of exploration and persistence pushed Okune to rethink his own path. What began as curiosity soon became transformation. “I was following the will of my parents and was going to be a doctor,” he said. “My time at the Innovation Center made me see that one day I could also make a fine professor or a game developer … I’m glad I stumbled into Professor Stemkoski’s office that day.”
Turning Passion into Action
For Christopher Sciortino ’25, a computer science major now pursuing his master’s degree at Adelphi, the Innovation Center became the perfect place to share his passion for video game design.
“I hosted an interactive video game design workshop at the Innovation Center. It went so well, I ended up hosting part two of the workshop,” Sciortino said. “The Innovation Center provided the support and community to help me share my knowledge.
Those workshops not only connected him with other students who share his interest in gaming and artificial intelligence, but also improved his own skills. “The Center has opened my eyes to how many different disciplines utilize the different technologies we showcase at the Center,” Sciortino said.
Preparing for Future Careers
What makes the Innovation Center stand out, students say, is that it prepares them for more than just the next exam. Whether it’s learning how to collaborate or finding the courage to chase a new career path—the lessons go beyond the classroom.
“The Innovation Center is a special place,” Sciortino said. “I see it as the hub for innovation, collaboration and growth for both students and professors.”
Okene put it simply: “It’s my home away from home.”
And for Schwab, it’s proof that innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. “It’s one of the few places on campus that breaks down barriers between majors and encourages everyone to work together. It makes Adelphi feel more connected, more creative and more human,” she said. “If you’re curious, creative or just looking for somewhere to belong, you’ll find your place here.”