Kylee Brotz ’27, a first-generation student from Delran, N.J., knew Lafayette College was the only place she wanted to be. She applied to just one school, confident that Lafayette was the perfect fit to pursue her passions for both art and mechanical engineering. Growing up fascinated by how things work and always seeking ways to create, Brotz knew she wanted to merge her passion for creativity with problem-solving. Lafayette’s unique environment allows her to pursue both fields simultaneously, without having to choose between them.
Video by Olivia Giralico
With the support of the Dyer Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Brotz has transformed her personal wellness journey into the founding of Heartful Healing, a nonprofit organization that initially began as a high school club focused on integrating art into health care settings to uplift patients. Through the Dyer Center Fellowship, a unique four-year program that nurtures the next generation of innovative leaders, Brotz has gained invaluable connections, mentorship, and resources to expand her venture while developing her leadership skills.
In the future, she hopes to expand her nonprofit into a broader platform that not only enhances care facilities with art but also promotes accessibility, education, and a wider range of therapeutic experiences across hospitals, care units, and retirement homes.
“Kylee embodies the spirit of innovation that defines the Dyer Center—fearlessly combining her passions for art and engineering to create meaningful change. Her journey with Heartful Healing showcases how creativity and problem-solving can transform lives and inspire communities,” says Rita Chesterton, Bradbury Dyer III ’64 Director for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
At Lafayette, Brotz is not only advancing her engineering expertise through coursework but also nurturing her creativity through her involvement with Lafayette’s Williams Center for the Arts and Theater—all while discovering how to make a meaningful impact in Easton and beyond. The combination of engineering, art, and community at Lafayette is helping her design a future that will shape the world around her.
