Written by Brian Wiebe '25 & Allison Kemp '27
November 13, 2024
As an Innovation Fellow and Mindset Scholar, respectively, we were introduced to the warm Ciocca community that not only introduced us to innovation and entrepreneurship, but also presented us with the opportunity to make an impact in our campus community. We both remember the first time that we were exposed to the design thinking process. As the first step in the design thinking process, empathy is the crux of successful innovation. At its core, empathy is where we not only engage with the end user, but observe their interactions and immerse ourselves in their experience. We learned with our interdisciplinary peers that by removing judgment, bringing curiosity, and questioning everything, the resulting change can be a reality.
"Together, we strive to empathize with our diverse peers by having each board member share what the campus community needs through their work in empathy."
Now, within our roles as Co-Chairs of the Student Advisory Board, we are putting our education into practice, leading the board in a pursuit to improve the Ciocca Center’s programming for the next generation of students. Together, we strive to empathize with our diverse peers by having each board member share what the campus community needs through their work in empathy. By recognizing the different interests and backgrounds of our peers, we are now designing events and programs that can not only benefit individual student groups but also foster interdisciplinary collaboration across campus. For example, SAB just hosted a speaker panel focused on the intersection between the fine arts and business, allowing students to leverage their artistic skills to create future career opportunities. After each event, we discuss the successes and challenges that each event brings, gaining insights on how we can improve the events that are offered in the future. Through this iteration, we are able to prepare for our largest event of the year, Entreprelooza, a day filled with celebrations of innovation and entrepreneurship. Ultimately, empathy is at the heart of the Student Advisory Board, and allows us to help bridge the gap between the Ciocca Center and the campus community.