Student makes most of internship 

An internship that started in January continues and has already provided some unique opportunities for an East Carolina University student. Jahaviyouna Cruz’s innovation and commercialization internship with the Crisp Small Business Resource Center is expected to run through the end of this year. As part of the program, Cruz attended the 2026 Supplier Matchmaking Expo at Charlotte Motor Speedway — an experience she describes as both eye-opening and professionally transformative. 

Cruz attended the event on behalf of Dr. Phillip Burton ’81, a graduate of the first four-year class at the Brody School of Medicine. She has been working with Burton on the Step Walker mobility device he created. The expo brought together manufacturers, suppliers and organizations dedicated to helping small businesses connect with larger corporate buyers to strengthen supply chains. 

“The event allowed me to build meaningful connections and gain valuable insight into how industry professionals collaborate to support innovation,” she said. “It also helped build my confidence when speaking with professionals about product development.” 

The innovation and commercialization internship has been funded by Sanford Bailey ‘64 and his wife, Rena Pappas. Bailey said he believes that the students’ experiences are better when they’re able to take what they have learned in the classroom and apply it in the real world.  

Cruz said the experience will help evaluate potential business and manufacturing pathways for the Step Walker project. 

“Experiences like this continue to motivate me as I grow both professionally and academically,” she said.