Research, Innovation, Design & Entrepreneurial (RIDE) Center

Discover our dynamic learning hub, fostering collaboration, industry partnerships, and hands-on experiences.

Explore the recently renovated Parenzo Hall, where you'll find the Research, Innovation, Design, & Entrepreneurial (RIDE) Center. It's not just a fabrication lab—it's a place for developing innovative ideas and entrepreneurial practices in Western MA. We're dedicated to getting students involved by partnering with external stakeholders and community leaders to address complex problems. We use fabrication and design tools that encourage creativity and innovation, engaging and preparing our students to be thought leaders for jobs of the future.

In The News Today

This spring, Westfield State University’s Office of Admissions successfully secured funding from the Presidential Innovation Fund to support the Junior Discover Westfield program throughout the Spring 2024 semester. This initiative offers local high school an opportunity to experience life as an owl.

As part of the program, the University’s Admissions team reached out to Dr. Lamis Jarvinen, Executive Director of the RIDE Center, to engage students in innovative activities and offer insight into the creative spirit higher education offers outside of the classroom.

Ready to Get Started? Here's What's Next at the RIDE Center.

Whether you're eager to jump into action, meet the team, or explore upcoming events and workshops, you're in the right place. Get ready to start an exciting journey as we guide you through all the opportunities awaiting you at the RIDE Center.

FALL 2024 DROP-IN HOURS: Coming soon!

Please note: Before you can utilize any equipment in the RIDE Center, you must be trained by a staff member. To learn more information about how to obtain a Skills Badge and schedule time for training, click here.

Getting Started

Events, Workshops, Funding Opportunities

Looking for an internship?

Come discover what you can learn at the RIDE Center! Work in a dynamic space to enhance your resume and develop skills to prepare you for the workforce.

RIDE Center Internship & Work Study Application

View the RIDE Center Calendar

FALL 2024 Drop In Hours: Coming soon!

View Calendar

RIDE Center Faculty Fellows

Innovation would mean nothing without faculty who share the same vision.

Meet our RIDE Center Faculty Fellows

Virtual Tour of the RIDE Center

Junior Discover Program Engages Local High School Students with Innovative Acti…

As part of the Junior Discover Spring 2024 program, the University’s Admissions team reached out to Dr. Lamis Jarvinen, RIDE Executive Director, to engage students in innovative activities and offer insight into the creative spirit higher education offers outside of the classroom.
Research, Innovation, Design, & Entrepreneurial Center Hosts Faculty in Technol…

The RIDE Center presented a January 2024 workshop aimed at making faculty aware of the technology available in the newly formed facility.
Local Entrepreneurs Follow Their Passion and Find Success

Local entrepreneurs, some of whom are Westfield State University alumni, visited the RIDE Center for an evening of panel discussion regarding how they started their businesses and what it's like to be an entrepreneur in the food & beverage industry.
Westfield State University Awarded $30,000 grant from Beveridge Foundation

In the Fall of 2023, The Beveridge Family Foundation Inc. awarded a $30,000 grant to the Westfield State University Foundation to purchase state-of-the art equipment from MakerHealth, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology-based company, for Westfield State’s new Research, Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurial (RIDE) Center.