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
Applications are open - Deadline is May 1, 2023. We look forward to receiving your application. Submit your application now!
- 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.
- What majors is this year long course open to?
This program is open to all majors and will be interdisciplinary.

Abem Lucas
CS and Engineering

Ash Uyematsu
Biology, Public Health, Japanese Minor

Brian Wiebe
CS and Engineering, Technical Innovation Minor

Camren Kremers
Finance, Real Estate Minor

Evan Baerg
Bio-Chemistry

Harvard Muhm
Business, French

Hriday Gurnani
Finance, Economics

Jonathan Santosa
CS and Engineering

Kaitlin Webster
Neuroscience, WGST

Karl Schumacher
Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering Minor
Karla Santos
Ethnic Studies, Urban Education Minor, Sociology Minor

Khushboo Gupta
COEN, Design Thinking and Innovation

Leo Illing
Physics, Mathematics Minor, Art History Minor

Lillian Coan
Marketing

Nicolas Lyons
Business

Olivia Sargent
Biochemistry, Public Health Minor