Adam Andres

Class of 2025-2026

Marian University, 2025
Finance

Capstone Project Abstract: 

ETHOS Innovation Center is located in Elkhart, Indiana. ETHOS is proud to serve as the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) expert and leader in providing innovative, hands-on STEM programming to kids, families, schools, and after-school community partners. ETHOS has recently launched a national PreK–6 science curriculum designed with insights from teachers, students, administrators, and parents to teach, inspire, and expose kids to grade-level science standards through fun, engaging, and hands-on labs. The new curriculum, "Grade Level Certified" (GLC), was created to be simpler for PreK–6 teachers and more hands-on for students — aiming to inspire them not only to learn science, but to become passionate about it.

For this capstone project, the student will work with ETHOS leadership to develop a strategic roadmap to scale the Grade Level Certified (GLC) PreK–6 science curriculum nationally, while preserving ETHOS' mission-driven, teacher-centered approach. The student will also assess ETHOS' current structure and explore the potential benefits and trade-offs of remaining a nonprofit versus transitioning to a for-profit model to maximize its impact on science education. To achieve this, the student will conduct primary market research, build financial models, and deliver actionable recommendations to position GLC as the leading PreK–6 science curriculum in Indiana and beyond.

Why did you choose ESTEEM?

I chose ESTEEM because of my passion for entrepreneurship and my desire to make a positive impact by helping others. By combining my business background with the ESTEEM program, I am uniquely positioned to collaborate with individuals who bring deep technical expertise. It’s the perfect opportunity for me to strengthen my entrepreneurial skill set, particularly in working with innovative technologies. Through ESTEEM, I aim to gain the tools and experience necessary to launch my own startup or contribute meaningfully to ventures led by others pursuing their entrepreneurial aspirations.

What do you hope to do after ESTEEM? 

After ESTEEM, I plan to continue pursuing my entrepreneurial goals by either launching my own startup or supporting other founders in bringing their ideas to life. I've helped grow some of Indiana's largest entrepreneurial groups and am deeply committed to continuing to support Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Currently, I’m working on launching both my own startup and an intercollegiate entrepreneurship organization, with top universities in Indiana, to connect student innovators across the state. Through my experiences in Indiana’s venture community, I’ve come to believe that entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful tools for creating meaningful impact and uplifting others. I’m dedicated to using it to expand opportunities and empower those around me.

What do you like to do in your free time?

One of the most important things to me is people and community. I spend much of my free time with friends, whether playing soccer, working out, or simply enjoying each other’s company. I’m also deeply passionate about entrepreneurship and often use my time outside of class to develop new ventures or support others in theirs. One of my favorite accomplishments was co-founding the Marian University Entrepreneurship Club alongside some of my closest friends. It was incredibly fulfilling to build something meaningful while sharing the journey with some of my best friends,