Be a Change Agent for Santa Clara University!

Ciocca Center Innovation Fellows focuses on finding a pain point on our SCU campus and using design thinking methods and empathy to identify and implement solutions. This 1 year program is great for students who want to continue to improve and grow the SCU community. The first quarter is a learning experience of mastering design thinking tools as part of an interdisciplinary team. In the second and third quarter, student teams will work with SCU administrators to address a real problem on campus. In the fourth quarter, students will further refine their ideas, test, and implement their creative ideas for solutions that stick, well beyond their time here at SCU.

Ciocca Center Innovation Fellows are committed to curiosity and fostering development of the student experience at Santa Clara University.

Issues that Innovation Fellows are addressing include:

Food insecurity
Male-identifying student access to mental health resources
A "one-stop" solution for student clubs to create events
Student attendance at sporting events
Making STEM spaces more inclusive for non-Engineers

Teaching Team

Prof. Kathy Sun

Co-Instructor

Keith Yocam

Co-Instructor

Hallie Mullane

Program Administrator and Teaching Assistant

2022-2024 Innovation Fellows

Apply!

Applications are open - Deadline is May 1, 2023. We look forward to receiving your application. Submit your application now!

FAQs

Who can apply for this program?

SCU students who are rising Sophomores and Juniors (current First Year and Sophomores) are eligible to apply.

What is the time commitment?

Students commit to a 3 unit course, offered 1 unit each quarter. There is a time commitment associated with and equivalent to a 1 unit course each quarter for a full academic year (Fall, Winter, and Spring).

Additionally, students commit to presenting their solution during the following Fall.

Can students participate in both Innovation Fellows and SCU Study Abroad?

Yes, it is possible. You will need to be willing to attend some meetings virtually and to work with your team around timezones. A number of Innovation Fellows have been part of SCU Study Abroad. Please work with the Ciocca Center Program Director to work on developing a plan for this.

What topic will be the focus?

This program will be driven by the students and the groups engaged. The theme is Santa Clara University, and this is a great program for students who want to continue to improve and grow the SCU community.

Has this course happened before?

As Design Thinking experts, the program continues to be improved upon.

A two year long version of this program is being offered to 16 undergraduate students. Additionally, a version of this program has been offered to graduate students in the ECP at SCU. An elective (non-credit) version has been offered for 4 years prior for undergraduates, the program has been well received by participants and students have asked for the creation of a larger for-credit version.