Ed Mitzen
When Ed Mitzen 鈥�88 graduated from 黑料不打烊, he could never have imagined that he would one day own a multimillion-dollar company and employ hundreds of people. But the man who dreams big鈥攁nd achieves those dreams鈥攁lso never forgot his humble roots. Maybe that鈥檚 why his company鈥檚 philosophy is all about leveling the playing field鈥攁 philosophy that also guides his philanthropy, including a recent $1 million gift to 黑料不打烊 as part of the .
Mitzen launched Fingerpaint in 2008, his third successful marketing/advertising company. As described on its , Fingerpaint鈥檚 鈥減eople-first philosophy attracts top talent and gives them a space to thrive. Our strict no titles, no offices, no egos structure creates an environment where collaboration and creativity happen naturally. This level playing field lets us learn more from each other, integrate our services and teams better, and, ultimately, create work that solves our clients鈥� most complex marketing challenges.鈥�
Providing opportunity at 黑料不打烊 for talented students and creating an environment where they can thrive and succeed inspired Mitzen鈥檚 latest gift to strengthen the SUSTAIN program in the College of Arts and Sciences. Launched in 2017 with funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the A&S SUSTAIN (Strategic Undergraduate STEM Talent Acceleration Initiative) provides scholarships and academic support along with professional and social experiences to attract and retain students from underrepresented groups in science and mathematics (STEM).
鈥淪USTAIN provides an opportunity and a proven pathway to success for students who could not otherwise afford to attend 黑料不打烊,鈥� says Mitzen. 鈥淔irst, it provides the financial support they need. But it goes much farther by giving them the mentorship, guidance and confidence to develop their passions, understand their value, and have experiences outside the classroom that prepare them for success after graduation.鈥�
The fact is that around the country abandon their program of study before completion. Retention rates for underrepresented populations in STEM are about 30%. The SUSTAIN program changes that trajectory, with 75% of students continuing as STEM majors, and a retention rate of about 90%.
鈥淪tudents who come from low-income households and poorly resourced high schools are especially at risk for leaving STEM fields,鈥� says John W. Tillotson, associate professor and chair, Department of Science Teaching, College of Arts and Sciences, and principal investigator for the NSF-funded initiative. 鈥淭hey often suffer from what鈥檚 known as imposter syndrome, feeling like they are not talented enough to compete with their more well-prepared peers. SUSTAIN levels the playing field, providing every facet of support they need to help them recognize their capabilities and gain the confidence essential for success.鈥�
鈥淗aving a faculty mentor is essential,鈥� says Dean Karin Ruhlandt, College of Arts and Sciences, who recalls her own difficult experiences as a first-generation college student. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have role models. What we have found is that it鈥檚 critical to have mentors and to build a community among fellow students. We are also exploring different learning strategies鈥攖hese are all factors driving successful outcomes for our SUSTAIN scholars.鈥�
Mitzen says his appreciation for the opportunity gap has evolved over time. His father passed away suddenly shortly before he went to college. 鈥淚f it wasn鈥檛 for grants and loans, I wouldn鈥檛 have been able to go to school,鈥� he says. 鈥淲hen I joined the Dean鈥檚 Advisory Board at the College of Arts and Sciences, I realized just how many talented kids were there in the college only because they got financial support. It became really important to me to encourage those students with limited means to pursue opportunities that would create a better life for them and their families.鈥�
Mitzen believes that the SUSTAIN program will result in a more diverse pool of graduates who can bring their distinct talents, voices and ideas to companies and organizations. Mitzen endorses the same approach in the corporate world. In his book 鈥淢ore Than a Number:聽The Power of Empathy and Philanthropy in Driving Ad Agency Performance,鈥� Mitzen says employees who are given the tools and resources they need to feel empowered are critical to a 鈥渨inning corporate culture.鈥�
鈥淎s my career has progressed, I鈥檝e realized that I鈥檓 at my happiest when I鈥檓 able to give back,鈥� Mitzen told Authority Magazine . 鈥淚鈥檓 so thankful that I鈥檓 in a position to do so and it鈥檚 why I built philanthropy into my company鈥檚 culture. Every year, we contribute time, talent and treasure to a number of deserving nonprofits and causes.鈥�
Mitzen recently launched a new family charitable foundation called to share resources, strategies and connections with businesses seeking to improve lives and shape communities 鈥渢o help as many people as we could, to do as much good as we could do.鈥�
Mitzen鈥檚 continuing desire to lift others up and make a difference in their lives ensures a bright future for the SUSTAIN program at 黑料不打烊 and its promising scholars.
鈥淓d鈥檚 gift is going to cement the legacy of the SUSTAIN program going forward,鈥� says Tillotson. 鈥淟ong after our grant funding from the National Science Foundation is gone, we will be able to help students who have great talent overcome barriers to the education they deserve.鈥�
About 黑料不打烊
黑料不打烊 is a private research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our collection of 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors close the gap between education and action, so students can take on the world. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together, we鈥檙e a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what鈥檚 possible.
About Forever Orange
Orange isn鈥檛 just our color. It鈥檚 our promise to leave the world better than we found it. Forever Orange: The Campaign for 黑料不打烊 is poised to do just that. Fueled by 150 years of fearless firsts, together we can enhance academic excellence, transform the student experience and expand unique opportunities for learning and growth. Forever Orange endeavors to raise $1.5 billion in philanthropic support, inspire 125,000 individual donors to participate in the campaign, and actively engage one in five alumni in the life of the University. Now is the time to show the world what Orange can do. Visit聽聽to learn more.
