Training Students to become Change Agents.
As a student at Michigan Tech, I had the unique opportunity to participate in the UIF program as part of the Huskey Innovate program of the Pavlis Honors College. Michigan Tech’s UIF Cohorts consists of 4 students selected through a rigorous interview process. This program has been an invaluable asset to learning and using Human-Centered Design principles in a team environment. For more information about the program at MTU, click here.
University Innovation Fellows empowers students to become leaders of change in higher education. Fellows are leading a global movement to ensure that all students gain the attitudes, skills, and knowledge required to navigate a complex world. As a newly accepted fellow, I have been trained with design thinking practices to create positive change on Michigan Technological University's campus. My current project focuses on unifying the community of students within the college of sciences and arts with the students in the college of engineering.
Design Thinking Training
The Stanford program consists of a 6-week program: Inspiration week, Design Thinking Process, Landscape Canvas, Strategic Priorities, Lean Startup, and Storytelling. Each week built upon previous knowledge while introducing new skills to the designer’s toolkit such as Product Roadmaps, Stakeholder Meetings, Interviewing methods, and Moderating design thinking workshop to name a few. Our team assessed the current innovation and entrepreneurial landscape at Michigan Tech by scouring the university website, interviewing students and stakeholders, and connecting with the local community. From our research, we defined the affordances and constraints that exist for individuals to be involved and stay supported in innovation and entrepreneurship on campus. We workshopped these findings to ideate solutions. Each team member created a program from student’s voiced needs on campus such as mental health initiatives making the workout spaces more accessible to students on campus, environmental initiatives for repurposing unwanted dorm room materials at the end of semesters, and representation initiatives for having each major on campus have an equally valued voice. At the end of the program, our team tested our prototype programs.
Here are a few highlights of my contribution to the program.
Student Ambassador Program Prototype
A program to elevate Science and Art students’ voices on a 60% Engineering focused campus
My current project, the Student Ambassador Program, focuses on unifying the community of students within the college of sciences and arts with the students in the college of engineering.
Learn more about the Standford’s UIF program here and how Michigan Tech Student’s are making their impact on campus here.
