Four SMC Interaction Design Students Among 2024 Cohort of Stanford d.school University Innovation Fellows

The University Innovation Fellows (UIF) Program-run by Stanford University's Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school)-has announced the 2024 Cohort of University Innovation Fellows. Four Santa Monica College (SMC) Bachelor of Science in Interaction Design (IxD) students were among 164 students selected from 44 higher education institutions in 13 countries: Carey Corrow, Alison Parrales, Anna Giglotti, and Tony Renoj. With the addition of the new Fellows, the program has trained more than 3,300 students since its creation.

Nominated by faculty and administrators who guide the Fellows and are known as "Faculty Champions," accepted Fellows participate in a six-week online training experience. During training, Fellows learn to analyze their campus ecosystems and identify opportunities for change related to innovation, entrepreneurship, design thinking, and creativity. They work to understand the needs of peers across disciplines and the perspectives of faculty and administrators, and then apply this new knowledge and perspective to design new educational opportunities for their peers. After training, Fellows implement the projects they crafted.

This cohort-based program is a two-year experience that helps educators work to identify and design their own projects to make a difference at their schools. Led by a team of veteran Faculty Champions, candidates are part of a community of practice, collaborating with other faculty and staff from around the world to learn new change strategies.

"Higher education institutions around the world need student leaders to be involved in shaping the experience of teaching and learning," said Humera Fasihuddin, co-director of the University Innovation Fellows program. "Students can provide an essential perspective on what learners need to succeed and thrive in the world today, and students can take the lead on making the necessary changes happen at their schools."

"I love that the UIF program expands a student's educational experience. They hear different, outside perspectives, grow their network, and add Stanford to their resume!" said SMC Interaction Design Professor and "Faculty Champion" Luke Johnson. "Yet what I appreciate most about the program is that it asks students to take a critical look at this college's infrastructure and be agents of positive change within this system. It's a win-win for everyone."

Johnson stated that the SMC students' projects had the collective goal "to connect students, faculty, and industry to boost entrepreneurship at SMC. [They] put together four ideas focusing on creating opportunities to collaborate, access resources, and gain real-world experience."

A summary of each SMC student/UIF Fellow's project follows:

• Carey Corrow: Create a seamless booking system for SMC students to easily reserve rooms and resources, helping them save time and focus on their studies.

• Tony Renoj: The SMC Innovation Tech Fair is a proposed event to connect students with local tech companies, showcasing products and careers in STEM, Design, Computer Science, and Business.

• Alison Parrales: Develop a virtual hub to connect SMC students and faculty across disciplines, fostering a campus-wide culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

• Anna Giglotti: SMC's Interdisciplinary Innovation Kickoff is a one day event idea to bring students from different paths together with industry experts for a hands-on tech challenge, building skills and connections for future innovation.

"These changemakers aren't just dreaming about tomorrow - they're building it," said Leticia Britos Cavagnaro, co-director of the University Innovation Fellows program. "While lifting up their campus communities, they're mastering design and leadership skills that will serve them for years to come."

To learn more about Santa Monica College's Interaction Design program, visit ixd.smc.edu. For more information about the University Innovation Fellows Program, visit universityinnovationfellows.org or email communications director Laurie Moore at laurie@dschool.stanford.edu or 717-982-1218.

Santa Monica College is a California Community College accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC).

Image Captions:

SMC-UIF-Fellows.jpg: (L-R) Santa Monica College Bachelor of Science in Interaction Design students Carey Corrow, Alison Parrales, Anna Giglotti, and Tony Renoj were among 164 students selected from 44 higher education institutions in 13 countries to be a 2024 University Innovation Fellow, a program run by Stanford University's Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school).