Center for Innovation and Leadership

The Center for Innovation and Leadership (CIL) provides opportunities for the Swarthmore community to develop the skills to lead, innovate and create value. Through experiential learning, engaging programs, internships, mentorship, and funding, we offer the tools for students to improve the world around them- by starting a new venture or leading in their community. Collaborating with Swarthmore’s cutting-edge faculty, committed staff, and engaged alumni, the CIL offers the opportunity for Swatties to dream big and apply knowledge for positive impact.

UPCOMING EVENTS

CIL Open House

Tuesday, September 9 | 11:30am-1:30pm | Parrish, West Parlor

Come for donuts, stay to learn about Hackathon, SwatTank, funding, and connecting with an innovation ecosystem on campus and beyond!

Ask An Alumni… about food businesses and investing

TBD | September 2025

David Choe, ‘01, Partner at Clover Capital, Private investment firm focused on acquiring and investing in food & beverage companies. David will share his journey from Swat to food investing and then answer questions from students.

Dinnovators - A dinner for student innovators!

September 29 | 5pm-7pm | The Lang Center

You are all invited to September's Dinnovators, a dinner for student innovators!

Dinnovators is a partnership with the Center for Innovation and Leadership and the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility. This program was brought about to create a space for all the various student innovators, group, and projects to get to know each other, offer skill sharing, and social interaction.

This is an open invitation, so if you know other students who should be here, please bring them along!

Rachel Simmons discusses how to fail successfully at her Failure Workshop hosted by the CIL in September. Read more about the workshop here...

Rachel Simmons discusses how to fail successfully at her Failure Workshop hosted by the CIL in September. Read more about the workshop here...

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Ask An Alumni… about food businesses and investing

TBD | September 2025

David Choe, ‘01, Partner at Clover Capital, Private investment firm focused on acquiring and investing in food & beverage companies. David will his journey from Swat to food investing and then answer questions from students.