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FAU Announces 2026 Kenan Social Engagement Scholars

�̲�ֱ�� Atlantic University announced five recipients of the 2026 Kenan Social Engagement Program scholarships, which supports student entrepreneurship to address a pressing social need.

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�̲�ֱ�� Atlantic University recently announced five recipients of the 2026 Kenan Social Engagement Program scholarships, a program administered by the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College to educate students on the fundamentals of innovative entrepreneurship that can address a pressing social need.

This year’s Kenan Scholars were chosen as part of a competitive selection process to launch social ventures that they conceptualized, planned and pitched during a social entrepreneurship course at the Wilkes Honors College. In addition to an academic scholarship, Kenan Scholars received seed funding to pursue development of their business concept.

Vivien Levine, a junior majoring in cellular neuroscience, won the top Kenan award – a $10,000 seed grant –�� for her venture Joyworks, which she created with partner Ashlynn Hendricks, a senior also majoring in cellular neuroscience. Joyworks is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that combines art and dance programs with neuroscience research to improve individuals’ well-being in underserved communities. Joyworks also offers classes for the general public. In addition to this award, the venture secured funding from the FAU Wave business pitch competition.

“Now I have the opportunity to create work that I genuinely love and that positively impacts the community,” Levine said.

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The following Kenan Scholars each received $2,500 in seed funding:

Ryan Fernandez, a junior majoring in cellular neuroscience with a minor in economics, developed the venture PantryPro, a smart kitchen management application designed to help families save money while also reducing food waste. The app suggests personalized recipes and helps manage “sell by,” best by” and expiration dates, encouraging families to use the food they have effectively and reduce disposal of spoiled or expired items. He said he hopes to enter other pitch competitions to strengthen and fund PantryPro as he works toward a career in medicine and humanitarian aid.

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Mallory Schumaker, a junior majoring in marine biology, founded the venture is Pocket Reef, a website platform designed to improve water quality management in marine home aquariums to make them more environmentally and ecologically sustainable. The platform offers a simple water quality test form that produces instant, color-coded feedback and tracks aquariums’ water quality history. A portion of proceeds is donated to natural reef restoration efforts. She also won an FAU Wave Competition award for her business concept. “I have always been ambitious with my dreams, but being a business owner was never something I thought I could do,” Schumaker said. “Thanks to the Kenan Social Engagement Scholarship, I have been able to design and pursue my own social venture for a cause I am deeply passionate about.”

Alexis Jilani, a junior majoring in marine biology, and Brianna Letterio, a business major, started the venture PawCycle, a nonprofit organization that manufactures durable, sound-dampening panels for use in animal shelters. The panels create safe, quiet spaces for cats who often suffer from illness and anxiety in crowded, noisy environments. Healthier cats lead to better adption outcomes. The panels are made from donated, recycled plastic water bottles and can be assembled and maintained by shelter staff and volunteers. PawCycle also earned a FAU Wave Competition award. “Receiving the Kenan scholarship, as well as having the opportunity to participate in FAU’s Wave program, has granted us the guidance and funding to fully realize our goals,” Jilani said.

Danylo Fedkiv, a junior pursuing a double major in chemistry and biology with a minor in mathematics, created the venture Bottles for Bits, an upcycling program that converts plastic bottles into affordable 3D printer filament for schools. Bottles for Bits aims to eradicate both plastic waste and educational inequality by lowering the cost of operating 3D printers, making this technology more attainable for low-income schools. He is also an FAU Wave Competition winner. Fedkiv said he hopes to pursue an MD/Ph.D. in clinical pathology and organic synthesis research, combining a career as a researcher and a physician.

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Each year, the Kenan Social Engagement Program enters agreements with local nonprofit organizations for students to pursue academic service learning. During the course, students write business plans either for their own ventures or for ventures tailored to serve the mission of their host organization. Community partners that have participated in the program include El Sol Neighborhood Resource Center; The Lord’s Place; Palm Beach County Food Bank; Town of Jupiter; Easterseals �̲�ֱ��; Mind & Melody; Path to College; Quantum House; and Busch Wildlife Sanctuary. The program is funded by a grant and endowment from the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust.

For more information, visit www.fau.edu/honors/alumni/kenan-social-engagement-program.

-FAU-

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