2018 is a big year for the Creativity & Innovation Team in the Institute for Entrepreneurship. We have new workshops, new professors and new campus-wide activities. Creativity & Innovation has devoted this year to design new ways for students to creatively change their lives, their careers and the world.
CENTER FOR CREATIVITY & INNOVATION: We know one thing: creative thinking is a vital skill to be taught. This is the mission of the Miami University Center for Creativity & Innovation. The Center’s goal is to explode creative learning across campus. Through resources, new events and tool-teaching, we achieve just that. We believe creative thinking goes into everything you do, from housework to big work projects. We want all of campus to know they have the power to think bigger, and the Center is leading the way and making waves.
IGOODEA: Do people actually use creativity every day? We think so and so does the student creativity organization, Igoodea Creatives. Igoodea collaborates on problems, hosts activities and designs experiences that help grow creative skills. They’re offering workshops in design thinking, improv with insights from leading creatives. It’s not all talk, either. Igoodea works with real clients and makes big things happen on campus, including the annual Creativity City in April. What is Creativity City? Check it out here. Wanna get involved? Connect with Maryanne Smith at maryannesmithsemail@miamioh.edu
INTERNSHIPS: Oxford is nice, but our students take their talents to places like San Francisco, Chicago and NYC for incredible summer Innovation internships. They’re using their creativity knowledge to make big things happen at leading agencies, growing tech startups and large companies. Using creative chops, they contribute right off the bat to think differently, take calculated risks and thrive in ambiguity. By the end, our students provide real value, receive offers for full time employment and bring new tools they learned back to the classroom.
NEW FACULTY: Teaching creativity is here to stay, and because of that, our team has grown. The Institute has added two new professors of Creativity & Innovation as a part of the First Year Integrated Core. They will join the team of other Creativity & Innovation professors to teach ESP 103, Creativity and the Entrepreneurial Mindset. We’ll share more about JL Zoeckler and Jim Johnson soon but stop by FSB 1037 to introduce yourself.
HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER SCHOLARS: Who says learning creativity is just for college? When our students leave Oxford for their summer adventures, we keep the ball rolling with Miami’s High School Summer Scholars program. During this program, outstanding high school students spend two weeks with our Creative Iron Team, Friedman/Eyman, learning the meaning of being Entrepreneurial and using creative problem solving with a real-world client. Oh, and they do great work, too.
CREATIVITY SCHOLARS: Every year we welcome new Creativity Business Scholars into our program. We won’t know the new recruits yet but we’re excited to welcome the new class. These students will have special access to Creativity & Innovation classes, co-circulars and experiences. They become our student leaders who get the Miami community excited about learning creativity and all it has to offer.
Wow! A lot of stuff, right? Itching to know more? We want to tell you. Wanna get involved? Stop by Jim Friedman’s office, FSB 2073 and schedule a time to chat. Or, email him at jim.friedman@miamioh.edu. We would love to welcome you into our world.