The Garage x The School of Communication
The Garage is a community and physical space for every Northwestern student interested in entrepreneurship to learn, iterate, and grow. We offer students resources, programming, and mentorship designed to help build the skills and entrepreneurial mindset they need to succeed in any industry.
Students from across the University bring a wide range of diverse academic and personal experiences that enrich the entrepreneurial environment at The Garage through exposure to new ideas, ways of thinking and skill sets.
In winter 2022, there are 20 SoC students participating in programs at The Garage. Below are a few student stories.
Sherry Xue, SoC + McCormick ’23
Sherry is currently a participant in The Garage’s Residency program and X-Factor, The Garage’s revolutionary leadership development program. Sherry was also previously a participant in the Propel program, The Garage’s program for women entrepreneurs, and the Tinker program, where she developed her idea.

Major: Communication Studies
Minors: Entrepreneurship, French
Project / Company: Explorate strives to make international volunteering feel more at home through connecting travelers around the world and sharing transparent information about the programs.
Elam Blackwell, SoC ’22
Elam has participated in multiple programs at The Garage, including the Residency and Tinker programs where he developed his board game company and X-Factor, The Garage’s revolutionary leadership development program. Most recently, Elam was a participant in The Opportunity Fund and now serves as a mentor for other students in the program.

Major: Theater + Physics
Project / Company: Mark IV Games is a group of Northwestern students dedicated to designing and self-publishing engaging and fun board games.
Anna Lise Ericson, SoC ’22
Anna Lise has been involved in several programs at The Garage including Propel and Residency. Most recently, she participated in the summer 2020 Jumpstart Pre-accelerator program and received $10,000 to work full-time on Cerer with fellow SoC student Katie Karmin ’21.
Major: Communication Studies
Minor: Environmental Policy + Entrepreneurship
Project / Company: Cerer, an e-commerce platform dedicated to revolutionizing the fashion industry and shifting it towards a more sustainable environmental and economic path.
Lauren Washington, SoC ’22
Lauren participated in The Garage’s Jumpstart Pre-accelerator program during the summer of 2020 and received $10,000 to work on Project FILO with her co-founder (and brother), Brandon Washington, a student at Rockhurst University.
Major: Radio / TV / Film
Minor: Entrepreneurship
Project / Company: Project FILO, a creative based organization by artists and for artists that exceeds the vision of an artists future self.
The Garage x SoC News
Adala Makhulo, SoC ’23 featured in Opportunity Fund Update
Jordyn Lemer, SoC ’23 selected as Little Joe Ventures Fellow
Northwestern startup Project FILO aims to redefine media industry
Mike Raab, SoC ’12 named associate director of The Garage
Propellers visit Stephanie March, SoC ’96 in NYC
Rachel Cantor, SoC ’20 reflects on her time at The Garage upon graduation
Questions?
Email us at thegarage@northwestern.edu