Energized by creator and journalist Jon Youshaei’s engaging remarks, a vibrant celebration marked the launch of the Center for the Creator Economy (CCE)—the groundbreaking initiative reinforces the University’s commitment to bold, forward-thinking academic leadership.

More than 250 people attended the Nov. 12 evening event at Flaum Grand Hall at the Whitman School of Management, including students, alumni, University leadership, faculty, staff and campus visitors. The first academic center of its kind on a U.S. college campus, the Center for the Creator Economy is led jointly by the Whitman School and the Newhouse School of Public Communications.

The center pioneers a bold new approach to higher education, equipping students with the combined power of the legendary media and creative expertise at Newhouse and world-class business acumen at Whitman to help thrive in the rapidly expanding creator-driven economy.

“Syracuse University is positioning itself to not only keep pace but lead what has become a more than $500-billion global force impacting every industry,” said Mike Haynie, University vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and Whitman’s executive dean.

“This is changing how we value creativity in commerce and entrepreneurship as a form of art,” Haynie said. “It’s not just another program but a commitment to foster the creativity and intellect that fuel careers, movements and moments of an evolving industry.”

The creator economy is a fast-growing sector where individuals build careers by producing and monetizing content across digital platforms, such asYouTube, TikTok, Substack and Twitch. It is reshaping how media is produced and consumed.

With programming designed to reflect how students are currently creating—and earning—on their own digital platforms, the CCE will offer a curriculum focused on creator strategy, digital branding, content monetization, entrepreneurship and more.

“The Center for the Creator Economy reinforces Syracuse University’s commitment to stay on the cutting edge of industry trends to make sure that our graduates are ready to lead,” said Mark Lodato, dean of the Newhouse School.

“What we want to do is take students where they are at Newhouse and give them a better appreciation of the business side, and conversely for Whitman students studying business, provide an understanding of what the communication and creation side looks like,” he said.

However, classes and other programming connected to the center will be accessible to students from across campus. While led by Whitman and Newhouse, the center’s reach extends across campus through collaborations with the Falk College of Sport, where student-athletes will level up their personal branding game and maximize Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, and partnerships with the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Students will gain real-world insights through workshops and events featuring accomplished alumni and industry trailblazers who are defining what it means to be a creator today. Strategic partnerships with leading platforms, agencies and companies actively shaping the future of media and commerce will create a powerhouse ecosystem designed to launch the next generation of creator entrepreneurs.

“The creator economy provides some unique business challenges, like how do you commercialize content? How do you protect intellectual property? How do you professionalize people’s passion projects?” said Alex McKelvie, interim dean of the Whitman School.

“We’re responding to student interests and showing them we’re committed to this area where Syracuse is, once again, a thought leader,” McKelvie said.

Popular Content Creator Cracks the Code

In his keynote speech, Youshaei, a digital and social media expert, journalist and content creator, drew from his career experience and popularity that has helped him gain social media traction since his first post in 2009.

Today, he has more than 1 million followers across various social media platforms and more than 300 million views on one of YouTube’s fastest growing channels. Youshaei is one of a few creators to work inside both YouTube and Instagram. He has been featured in Business Insider, Time and Inc. Magazine for “cracking the code to going viral,” while TED called him the “Oprah of YouTube.”

One tip shared by Youshaei demonstrates how even superstars like Beyoncé often reference music, dance and other art forms from niche or forgotten places.

“In the heart of any great creator is a blend from many different sources,” he said, showing comparisons to a 1969 Bob Fosse dance in Beyoncé’s iconic “All the Single Ladies” music video as an example of creative inspiration done with originality. “People have accused her of taking other’s ideas, but she’s not about copy and paste. She’s about copy with taste! And that’s what has kept her relevant for so many years.”

Youshaei answered questions from students, encouraging them to take chances and not feel pressure to find perfectionism in the creator space.

“Perfectionism is really procrastination in disguise,” he said. “Don’t hold back.”

The day after the launch night. The University held its inaugural ’CUSE Creator Con—a full-day immersion into the creator economy, featuring dynamic talks and panel discussions with student and alumni content creators and industry experts.

The workshops drew students, faculty and staff, all eager for insights, and delivered exactly what they came for: fresh perspectives, real-world strategies and a glimpse into the creator future.

For more information, visit the University’s Center for the Creator Economy webpage.