The Stitt Scholars Program: Experiential Learning as a Tool for Transdisciplinary Deep Collaboration

The Stitt Scholars Program: Experiential Learning as a Tool for Transdisciplinary Deep Collaboration

Presenter(s)

Abigail Swensen, George Meinert, Hong Anh Chu, Loring Leitzel, Tanner Hamilton, Melissa Oei, Ryan Grant, Gwendolyn Meiring, Christian Reynolds, Rachel Balaj, Harley Beaulieu, Gavin Mchale, Liam Schroeder, Joan Considine

Comments

Presentation: 10:00 a.m-12:00 p.m., Kennedy Union 310

Description

Entrepreneurs and startup companies typically have needs but sometimes lack the resources to execute them promptly. This could delay a product or service launch, leading to a missed opportunity to gain market share. Some of the needs are beyond their expertise and may require transdisciplinary teams to help them reach the next level. To help the startup companies and entrepreneurs in Dayton, the Stitt Scholars Program was instituted to provide opportunities for transdisciplinary teams to work with entrepreneurs and startup companies to provide value while learning about innovation and entrepreneurship. This session presents the framework of the program and analyzes the feedback from the major stakeholders. Student teams will present about some of the projects they have worked on during the 2022/23 academic year. During the academic year, the students in the program maintain their regular course load and put in 10 hours of work each week. They work on projects for and with entrepreneurs at the HUB (powered by the PNC Bank). The students are paid from the program’s fund donated by Jim and Carol Stitt. During the 2021/22 academic year, the students’ work helped to secure financial support from the PNC Bank to support minority-owned businesses in the greater west Dayton area. The program’s success also led to a donation of $100,000 to the program. Generally, the students have enhanced their communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Most students indicated that the program helps them critically review problems and communicate effectively in transdisciplinary teams. Additionally, the clients expressed satisfaction with the students’ work ethics and the quality of project deliverables.

Publication Date

4-19-2023

Project Designation

Course Project 202310 EXP 316 01

Primary Advisor

Philip Appiah-Kubi

Primary Advisor's Department

Engineering Management, Systems, and Technology

Keywords

Stander Symposium, School of Engineering

Institutional Learning Goals

Community; Diversity; Vocation

The Stitt Scholars Program: Experiential Learning as a Tool for Transdisciplinary Deep Collaboration

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