Welcome to the Cottrell Center
The Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center fosters entrepreneurship across West Chester University and throughout Chester County by preparing students to contribute to the entrepreneurship ecosystem, providing access to a rich network of entrepreneurship resources and enhancing the startup and growth of new ventures to develop a strong WCU entrepreneurship culture and a vibrant Chester County entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Fall 2025 Programs
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About Us
Cottrell Center Team
Patricia Diggin, Executive Director
pdiggin@wcupa.edu
Pattie Diggin earned an MBA degree from West Chester University in 1996. She joined West Chester University in 2011 as an Adjunct Professor of Marketing and currently serves as the Director of The Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center. Pattie sits on the Board of Directors at the Chester County Fund for Women and Girls where she heads up the Development and Marketing committees. She is also a member of the Ambassador and Education Foundation committees at the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce and sits on the i2n Board of the Chester County Economic Development Council. Since 2014 she has been a SCORE volunteer and works collaboratively with organizations in the region that are committed to expanding the impact of entrepreneurship programming and supporting development of small businesses.
Lilyana Campbell
2025-2026 Graduate Assistant
Lilyana Campbell is an MBA student at West Chester University graduating in May 2026, where she also serves as a Graduate Assistant for both the Dr. Edwin Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center and the WCU National Sales Team. She recently graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Marketing and minors in Digital Marketing and International Business, distinguishing herself as the recipient of the Gary Smith Entrepreneurial Leadership Fund and the 1871 Club Award (2025). A dedicated leader and speaker, Lilyana was also selected as the student speaker for the 2025 WCU Presidential Gala, reflecting her impact both inside and outside the classroom.
Lauren Rommel
2025-2026 Undergraduate Assistant
Lauren is a Junior at West Chester University, majoring in marketing. Lauren is the treasurer of Entrepreneurship Club (CEO) here at West Chester. Lauren is a member of Mu Kappa Tau, Women in Business, and Kappa Delta. A fun fact about Lauren is that she has her own small business that specializes in gifts.
Nevaeh Vendrell
2025-2026 Undergraduate Assistant
Nevaeh Vendrell is a sophomore at West Chester University, pursing a degree in marketing. She's been involved in Women in Business and CEO club. Nevaeh used to play tennis in high school and still occasionally does for the club team at West Chester.
Nathan D'Angelo
2025-2026 Undergraduate Assistant
Nathan is a junior majoring in finance here at West Chester University and serves as the president of the entrepreneurship club (CEO) and a member of the WCU National Sales Team. Nathan would like to start his own business one day and has a true passion for entrepreneurship.
About Dr. Edwin Cottrell
The Dr. Edwin Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center is named in honor of Dr. Edwin Cottrell, West Chester University Professor Emeritus of Health and Physical Education. The naming of the center was through the generosity of a gift by Claire and Gary Daniels in honor of Dr. Cottrell, Mr. Daniel's golf coach.
Dr. Edwin Cottrell served as associate dean of the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation and as professor in the undergraduate and graduate programs. He also served as the head coach of golf at West Chester University for 20 years. He was a graduate of Slippery Rock State College (class of 1943). While at Slippery Rock he lettered in football, basketball, and tennis, and he captained the tennis team. Dr. Cottrell earned a master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and his doctorate in Health and Physical Education from Penn State University. He joined the West Chester University faculty in 1955. Dr. Cottrell was very active in many professional and academic organizations. He was named "Outstanding Physical Educator" in Pennsylvania by PSAHPER, was a member of the National Golf Coaches' Associate, and an educational consultant for the National Golf Foundation. He was also on the staff of the Duke University Junior Golf Camp and served as chair of the Concord Country Club golf committee where he was the club champion. Dr. Cottrell was a fighter pilot during World War II with the 48th Fighter Group ETO and flew 65 combat missions in the European Theater of Operations. He received the air medal with eight clusters plus unit and battle citations. After 28 years in the Air Force Reserves he retired as a Lt. Colonel having served as a Liaison officer to the Air Force Academy. Dr. Cottrell was an instructor at Duke University Golf School and Pine Needles Country Club. Dr. Cottrell was married to Mildred (Millie), and had two daughters: Carol Fisher and Susan Nation.
About Gary E. Daniels
Donate to the Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center
The support of donors and community partners is needed to continue and to grow programming at the Cottrell Center, and to make an impact on the Chester County entrepreneurial ecosystem.
StartupTree
Join us on StartupTree for networking, finding internships, and discovering opportunities as an entrepreneur.
Cottrell Center Newsletter
Catch up on all that's happening at the Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center!
Entrepreneurship Podcasts:
- The Solopreneur Hour
- How I Built This (NPR)
- Working Without Pants
- Being Boss
- This Week in Startups
- Mixergy
Do you have a favorite one that you follow? Let us know and we will add it to our list. Email: cottrellcenter@wcupa.edu