New facility on the Sears think[box] fifth floor provides students with industry-aligned tools to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application
Cleveland, Ohio April 8, 2026 — When entrepreneurs working in Case Western Reserve University’s Larry Sears and Sally Zlotnick Sears think[box] prepare to bring their products to the world, they now have a new professional-grade studio to help. The Sherwin-Williams Paint & Coatings Studio, made possible through a partnership among Case Western Reserve University, The Sherwin-Williams Company, JobsOhio and Team NEO, marks a significant investment in Northeast Ohio’s materials science ecosystem and the next generation of STEM talent.
Located on the fifth floor (The Eric T. Nord Project Space Floor) of Case Western Reserve’s seven-story, 50,000-square-foot innovation center, the studio provides students, researchers and entrepreneurs from across campus and the region with professional-grade equipment for finishing and protecting their creations. Sears think[box] is the largest university-based free and open-access innovation center and makerspace in the United States and receives more than 80,000 visits annually, serving students, faculty, and the public as a world-class ecosystem for prototyping, fabrication, and venture creation.
Key upgrades in the Sherwin-Williams Paint & Coatings Studio include a brand-new HVAC system, an expanded 7- by 8-foot paint booth capable of supporting large-scale projects, and a powder-coating oven large enough to accommodate a full-size bicycle frame.
“At Case Western Reserve, we focus on preparing students not only to understand the world, but to shape it,” said Provost and Executive Vice President Joy K. Ward. “This studio builds on that approach by providing access to industry-aligned tools and applications. Our partnership with Sherwin-Williams reflects a shared commitment to student success and opportunity — preparing students not just for STEM careers, but to lead in them.”
A bridge to the workforce
The investment serves as a critical link in the regional talent pipeline. As Sherwin-Williams enjoys its new global headquarters and research and development center in Northeast Ohio, the Company views this studio as a way to ensure graduates are "day-one ready."
“This investment is, at its core, an investment in people,” said Ellen Stephens, vice president of human resources at Sherwin-Williams. “We want a student’s first day at Sherwin-Williams to feel like a continuation of the work they started right here at think[box]. By providing a dedicated space to experiment with real-world materials and technology, we are accelerating their readiness for internships, co-ops and full-time careers.”
To support workforce development, Sherwin-Williams is partnering with JobsOhio, the state’s private, nonprofit economic development corporation, and regional economic development partner Team NEO to build a comprehensive talent strategy. Sherwin-Williams has been working with JobsOhio and Team NEO since 2020, and the studio’s opening marks a key step forward in attracting, developing, and retaining skilled talent.
“Working alongside Team NEO and our local partners to anchor Sherwin-Williams and its new headquarters and R&D center in Northeast Ohio created new opportunities to keep more Ohio students in the state and help them build long-term careers here,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “The Sherwin-Williams Paint & Coatings Studio at Case Western Reserve University, supported in part by JobsOhio Talent Acquisition Services, gives the company access to a team of talent experts to help build a sustainable pipeline of STEM and technical talent."
Transforming design and engineering
Beyond simple aesthetics, the studio allows students to explore the functional science of coatings—such as durability, functionality and material protection—integrating these considerations directly into the design process for everything from Baja cars to medical devices.
“This space is more than just a lab; it’s a translation zone,” said Tracy Roesch, senior vice president of research and development at Sherwin-Williams. “Innovation depends on people who have the patience to test, the resilience to iterate, and the practical skills to solve real problems. By bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-world application, this studio ensures students gain relevant, hands-on experience.”
Strengthening the regional ecosystem
The opening of the studio arrives as Case Western Reserve continues its momentum as the #1 fastest-growing research university in the Association of American Universities. It also aligns with the NEO-SMART initiative, a collaborative effort across 18 counties to move materials science technologies from lab discovery to manufacturing adoption for economic impact.
“This studio reflects our shift toward a model where the boundaries between the university and industry are intentionally blurred,” said Michael Oakes, executive vice president for research and economic development at CWRU. “When you combine this investment with our new $300 million Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building, it becomes clear: We are building a coordinated system that moves technology from discovery to society faster and smarter.”
ABOUT CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
As one of the fastest-growing research universities in the United States, Case Western Reserve University is a force in career-defining education and life-changing research. Across our campus, more than 12,000 students from around the world converge to seek knowledge, find solutions and accelerate their impact. They learn from and collaborate with faculty members renowned for expertise in medicine, engineering, science, law, management, dental medicine, nursing, social work, and the arts. And with our location in Cleveland, Ohio—a hub of cultural, business and healthcare activity—our students gain unparalleled access to academic, research, clinical and entrepreneurial opportunities that prepare them to join our network of more than 125,000 alumni worldwide. Visit case.edu to see why Case Western Reserve University is built for those driven to be a force in the world.
ABOUT THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
Founded in 1866, The Sherwin-Williams Company is a global leader in the manufacture, development, distribution, and sale of paint, coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. The Company manufactures products under well-known brands such as Sherwin-Williams®, Valspar®, HGTV HOME® by Sherwin-Williams, Dutch Boy®, Krylon®, Minwax®, Thompson's® WaterSeal®, Cabot®, Suvinil® and many more. With global headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, Sherwin-Williams® branded products are sold exclusively through a chain of more than 5,400 Company-operated stores and branches, while the Company's other brands are sold through leading mass merchandisers, home centers, independent paint dealers, hardware stores, automotive retailers, and industrial distributors. The Sherwin-Williams Performance Coatings Group supplies a broad range of highly-engineered solutions for the construction, industrial, packaging and transportation markets in more than 120 countries around the world. Sherwin-Williams shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: SHW). For more information, visit www.sherwin.com.
ABOUT JOBSOHIO
JobsOhio, Ohio's private nonprofit economic development corporation, enhances company growth and personnel development through business attraction, retention, and expansion across ten competitive industry sectors. With a team of seasoned professionals, JobsOhio utilizes a comprehensive network to foster talent production in targeted industries and attract talent through Find Your Ohio. Collaborating with seven regional partners, including Dayton Development Coalition, Lake to River Economic Development, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership, and Team NEO, JobsOhio delivers world-class customer service to provide companies with a competitive advantage. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, X and Facebook.