O'Pake Institute

The EmpowerED Summer Internship Program is officially underway!

We were proud to welcome our newest cohort of high school students during this week's orientation. This summer, 35 students from 12 Berks County high schools will participate in meaningful internship experiences designed to connect education, workforce development, and community engagement.

Programs like EmpowerED continue to demonstrate what is possible when schools, employers, and community partners invest in the next generation!

Keeping the celebration going, today we proudly recognize one of our newest O’Pake alumni as she celebrates the incredible accomplishment of earning her PhD!

Throughout her time with our team, Mezier Heaps played an important role in supporting commercialization strategy efforts, contributing to NSF grant reporting, and advancing innovation initiatives through her work with the Berk Innovation Collaborative. She also served as an integral part of faculty liaison efforts, helping strengthen collaboration and communication across projects and partnerships.

Her leadership, innovation, and dedication made a lasting impact on our department, and we are incredibly grateful for all she contributed during her time with us.

Congratulations, Mezier Heaps, Ph.D, on this well-deserved accomplishment! We cannot wait to see all that you achieve in this next chapter.

As we continue to celebrate our newly inducted O'Pake Alumni, we'd like to congratulate Brody DeGroodt, an outstanding student leader whose impact has been felt across our community and beyond.

From playing an instrumental role in supporting the Reading Area Firefighters Museum to serving as a Personal Finance Program Facilitator and financial advocate through Opportunity House, Brody has made a lasting impact in the community. He also contributed to the success of our annual cultural events, Latinos Unidos and Expressions of Excellence, helping create meaningful experiences that celebrate culture, community, and connection.

We are thankful for his dedication, leadership, and service throughout his journey with us. Congratulations on this incredible accomplishment. We'll be rooting for you as you enter this new and exciting chapter!

We're proud to celebrate the graduation of our Graduate Assistant in Operations, Nicholas King, and to recognize the lasting impact he has had on our team and department!

From launching our O'Make Creative Suite and helping build the foundation for our merchandise production, to coordinating events, managing logistics, and supporting the day-to-day operations that keep everything moving forward, his impact on our department has been immeasurable.

We are incredibly grateful for all he has contributed and cannot wait to see all the amazing things ahead for him. Congratulations on this well-deserved accomplishment. Your future is bright, and we are proud to have been part of your journey!

Stay tuned this week as we highlight our newly inducted O’Pake alumni!

Last week, we had the joy of hosting our Fellow Farewell celebration, honoring our graduating high school interns, Fellows, and graduate assistants! Through their work, leadership, and commitment to experiential learning, this class made a lasting impact on our programs, our partners, and the community we serve. From bringing ideas to life to supporting real-world projects, their contributions helped move our mission forward in meaningful ways.

We are grateful for the energy and perspective they brought to O’Pake and are excited to see how they continue to lead and make an impact in what’s next. We couldn’t be prouder of all they’ve accomplished and look forward to the paths they will create in the next chapter of their journeys.

Congratulations to all!

For the next 1,958 minutes, the O’Pake Institute is proud to stand with our campus and community in support of the Hope Fund.

Every day, we see the impact of experiential learning as our students work with real clients, build meaningful skills, and prepare for their futures. The Hope Fund helps ensure they can fully access these opportunities—while also providing critical resources like scholarships, educational support, emergency aid, and access to Clare’s Cupboard.

Every gift makes a difference and helps change students’ lives. Join us in making an impact today!

Mark your calendars for April 17th!
We’re wrapping up an incredible year of our Financial Empowerment series, where individuals learned about personal and entrepreneurial finance. Join us as we celebrate the growth, wins, and impact. Jenesse Torres, founder of Yo Quiero Dinero, will be the keynote speaker during this celebration! Don't miss out!