Syracuse University established the United States’ first academic center focused on the creator economy, positioning the institution at the forefront of education in digital content creation and entrepreneurship.
The Center for the Creator Economy emerges as a joint venture between the Martin J. Whitman School of Management and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. The initiative combines expertise in entrepreneurship from Whitman with knowledge of media and content production from Newhouse.
“The creator economy represents one of the most significant cultural and commercial transformations of our time,” said Mike Haynie, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation and Executive Dean of the Whitman School.
Goldman Sachs projects that the creator economy will reach nearly $500 billion by 2027, with the global creator community expanding at a rate of 10-20% annually. Roughly half of U.S. teenagers currently generate income through digital channels.
“This center speaks directly to the aspirations of current and prospective students, many of whom already see themselves as creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs,” said Newhouse Dean Mark J. Lodato.
Educational and Research Components
The center’s programming includes:
Undergraduate and graduate courses in creative content, audience engagement, and digital strategy.
Workshops and executive education covering personal branding and influencer law.
Speaker series featuring creators, social media executives, and digital entrepreneurs.
On-campus incubators providing mentorship and funding for student ventures.
Research initiatives focused on creator economy trends.
Leadership Structure
Leadership responsibilities will be shared between the Whitman and Newhouse deans, with collaboration from the Falk College and College of Visual and Performing Arts. The university plans a national search for an executive director, supported by faculty co-directors and faculty fellows across Syracuse’s 13 schools and colleges.
Two advisory bodies will guide operations: a Student Engagement Council, which will offer student perspectives, and an Industry Advisory Council comprising creators, media executives, brand managers, and investors.
Technology Infrastructure
Syracuse leverages its digital infrastructure for the initiative, including a campuswide 5G private network powered by JMA Wireless and AI access through Anthropic’s Claude for Education.
“The creator economy is not a passing trend – it’s a generational transformation,” said Alex McKelvie, Interim Dean of the Whitman School.
The university plans to launch celebrations at its main campus and satellite locations later this fall.
Cecilia Carloni, Interview Manager at Influence Weekly and writer for NetInfluencer. Coming from beautiful Argentina, Ceci has spent years chatting with big names in the influencer world, making friends and learning insider info along the way. When she’s not deep in interviews or writing, she's enjoying life with her two daughters. Ceci’s stories give a peek behind the curtain of influencer life, sharing the real and interesting tales from her many conversations with movers and shakers in the space.
Syracuse University established the United States’ first academic center focused on the creator economy, positioning the institution at the forefront of education in digital content creation and entrepreneurship.
The Center for the Creator Economy emerges as a joint venture between the Martin J. Whitman School of Management and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. The initiative combines expertise in entrepreneurship from Whitman with knowledge of media and content production from Newhouse.
“The creator economy represents one of the most significant cultural and commercial transformations of our time,” said Mike Haynie, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation and Executive Dean of the Whitman School.
Goldman Sachs projects that the creator economy will reach nearly $500 billion by 2027, with the global creator community expanding at a rate of 10-20% annually. Roughly half of U.S. teenagers currently generate income through digital channels.
“This center speaks directly to the aspirations of current and prospective students, many of whom already see themselves as creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs,” said Newhouse Dean Mark J. Lodato.
Educational and Research Components
The center’s programming includes:
Leadership Structure
Leadership responsibilities will be shared between the Whitman and Newhouse deans, with collaboration from the Falk College and College of Visual and Performing Arts. The university plans a national search for an executive director, supported by faculty co-directors and faculty fellows across Syracuse’s 13 schools and colleges.
Two advisory bodies will guide operations: a Student Engagement Council, which will offer student perspectives, and an Industry Advisory Council comprising creators, media executives, brand managers, and investors.
Technology Infrastructure
Syracuse leverages its digital infrastructure for the initiative, including a campuswide 5G private network powered by JMA Wireless and AI access through Anthropic’s Claude for Education.
“The creator economy is not a passing trend – it’s a generational transformation,” said Alex McKelvie, Interim Dean of the Whitman School.
The university plans to launch celebrations at its main campus and satellite locations later this fall.
Checkout Our Latest Podcast