Sydney Thornton is a junior at Elon University majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Neuroscience. Her combined passions for science and service have[[File:Sydney Thornton.jpeg|thumb|Sydney Thornton.jpeg]] led her on the pre-med track. She hopes to pursue her M.D. and make a difference in the medical community through innovation. She currently volunteers at a local clinic that offers free health care services for the uninsured and indigent in her local community. Along with her commitments as a student and volunteer, Sydney works two jobs as a circulation desk attendant at Belk Library and an Organic Chemistry tutor. She was one of two students elected on the Library committee where she works closely with the Dean of the library. She applied for the University Innovation Fellows Program because she wants to make an impact on her campus and in her community, as well as learn more about innovation and entrepreneurship.

= Related Links =

[http://universityinnovation.org/Elon%20University%20Student%20Priorities Elon University Student Priorities]

University Innovation Fellows

Fall 2018:

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Gillian_Hook Gillian Hook]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/SYDNEY_THORNTON Sydney Thornton]

Spring 2018: 

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Yousaf_Khan Yousaf Khan]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Regan_O%27Donnell Regan O'Donnell]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Noor_Irshaidat Noor Irshaidat]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Haley_Brengartner Haley Brengartner] 

Spring 2017:

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Josh_Cadorette Josh Cadorette]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Briana_Brady Briana Brady]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/James_setzer James Setzer]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Nick_Smith Nick Smith]

Spring 2016:

[http://universityinnovation.org/Elizabeth%20Jordan Elizabeth Jordan]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Gabrielle%20Vance Gabrielle Vance]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Sean%20Webber Sean Webber]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Kyle%20McKinley Kyle McKinley]

[http://universityinnovation.org/William%20Kakavas William Kakavas]

Spring 2015:

[http://universityinnovation.org/Ben%20Driscoll Ben Driscoll]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Jensen%20Roll Jensen Roll]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Matt%20Snow Matt Snow]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Giles%20Roll Giles Roll]

[[Category:Student Contributors|Student_Contributors]]

Fellow:Gillian Hook

2018-10-18T01:06:17Z

Gillian hook21:

Gillian Hook is a University Innovation Fellow of the fall 2018 cohort at Elon University. She is also a Business Fellow in Elon’s Love School of Business, focusing on an undergraduate degree in Accounting. While business is her main path, she also enjoys and takes classes in chemistry and STEM.

[[File:Gillian Hook Photo.jpg|thumb|Gillian Hook Photo.jpg]]     Gillian is originally from Pittsburgh, PA, and this is where she first found her interest in startup companies. In the spring of 2017, she had the opportunity to attend her first Angel Investment meeting with a company in Pittsburgh. Right away, she was intrigued by the process and vowed to learn more. By the summer of 2018, she had become an active participant in Next Act Fund, a woman led Angel Investment group in Pittsburgh. One reason Gillian became a University Innovation Fellow is to expand her interest in innovation and entrepreneurship, based on her experience with Angel Investment.

= Related Links =

[http://universityinnovation.org/Elon%20University%20Student%20Priorities Elon University Student Priorities]

University Innovation Fellows

Fall 2018:

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Gillian_Hook Gillian Hook]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/SYDNEY_THORNTON Sydney Thornton]

Spring 2018: 

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Yousaf_Khan Yousaf Khan]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Regan_O%27Donnell Regan O'Donnell]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Noor_Irshaidat Noor Irshaidat]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Haley_Brengartner Haley Brengartner] 

Spring 2017:

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Josh_Cadorette Josh Cadorette]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Briana_Brady Briana Brady]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/James_setzer James Setzer]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Nick_Smith Nick Smith]

Spring 2016:

[http://universityinnovation.org/Elizabeth%20Jordan Elizabeth Jordan]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Gabrielle%20Vance Gabrielle Vance]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Sean%20Webber Sean Webber]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Kyle%20McKinley Kyle McKinley]

[http://universityinnovation.org/William%20Kakavas William Kakavas]

Spring 2015:

[http://universityinnovation.org/Ben%20Driscoll Ben Driscoll]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Jensen%20Roll Jensen Roll]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Matt%20Snow Matt Snow]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Giles%20Roll Giles Roll]

[[Category:Student Contributors|Student_Contributors]]

2018-10-16T00:48:23Z

Gillian hook21:

Fellow:Gillian Hook

2018-10-16T00:47:55Z

Gillian hook21:

File:Gillian Hook Photo.jpg

2018-10-16T00:46:38Z

Gillian hook21:

Fellow:Gillian Hook

2018-10-16T00:45:37Z

Gillian hook21: Created page with "Gillian Hook is a University Innovation Fellow of the fall 2018 cohort at Elon University. She is also a Business Fellow in Elon’s Love School of Business, focusing on an un..."

Priorities:Elon University Student Priorities

2018-10-15T19:09:32Z

Gillian hook21:

[[File:Heading.jpg|border|Heading.jpg]]

2016 UIF Pitch [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAjhrGy_YII https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAjhrGy_YII]

2015 UIF Pitch [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGugNRw0iQ0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGugNRw0iQ0]

= '''Priority 1: Community Involvement with UIF''' =

=== Purpose: ===

By involving smaller Elon communities, like the Oaks Residential Neighborhood, with the University Innovation Fellows, we can share a more detailed aspect of our mission on campus. This will also allow for sophomores, juniors, and seniors to become more familiar with innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities. Moreover, when communities have themes, such as Oak’s “Emerging Adulthood”, we can share how innovation ties into them.

=== Strategies: ===

Reach out to the Directors of smaller communities within Elon (example: residential communities).

Talk with students to see which communities would be the most interested in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Advertise these opportunities in all areas on campus.

= =

= '''Priority 2: Students Motivating Students in Innovation Learning''' =

=== Purpose:  ===

Inform the Elon community as a whole about innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities by allowing students to teach and motivate each other.  By doing this, students can feed off each other and create more ideas than they could when learning on their own.

=== Strategies: ===

Allow for students to create their own plans for learning about innovation.

Reach out to teachers to understand the ways in which students learn best.

Evaluate which learning activities seem to help students grasp innovation concepts better than others.

= '''Priority 3: UIF Collaboration with Maker Hub''' =

=== Purpose:  ===

To teach students on campus about the innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities on campus, while introducing them to the Maker Hub and all the resources it contains. To explore different innovative projects happening on campus and help students generate ideas in an environment that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship. 

=== Strategies: ===

Prepare a list of speakers around campus that have completed an innovative project 

Ask the Maker Hub to speak about the resources they have

Create a design space (“think space”) for students to collaborate and generate ideas for new innovative projects

Provide more awareness about the Maker Hub, the UIF program, the Doherty center, and the I&E program on campus

= '''Priority 4: Burst the Bubble Coding Curriculum''' =

=== Purpose: ===

To teach coding to students of all majors without the pressure of a grade, show people what UIF is all about, and recruit other students who inspire change and want to make the campus a more innovative space. This gives people of all majors the opportunity to learn to code in a positive environment without the pressure of a grade.

=== Strategies: ===

Decide on the best coding software to teach

Strategize with the team to decide how to best go about creating a curriculum to teach people of all exposures how to code

Contact the computer science department

= '''Priority #5: Elon Maker Space Improvements''' =

=== Purpose: ===

With the establishment of the Maker Hub in Fall 2015, Elon took the first step towards establishing a dedicated I&E makerspace. However, students still need a space that is effectively staffed, well and reliably equipped, and where they feel comfortable to brainstorm and prototype their ideas.

=== Strategies: ===

Identify what aspects of the Maker Hub are most in need of improvement. 

Work on training every student staff member on the full arsenal of tools and equipment available in order to streamline students' making process.

Improve equipment uptime; especially the 3D printers. 

Advertise the Maker Hub by integrating the space with traditional class curriculums.

Connect the space with other incubators in the area.

= '''Priority #6: Elon Innovators Network''' =

=== Purpose: ===

One way to encourage others to take their ideas and dreams to the next level is to show them that it has and is being done! This project would seek to shine a light on Elon’s current and past entrepreneurs.

=== Strategies: ===

Contact individual currently in charge of Doherty Center Electronic message board TV.

Research students involved with I&E on campus.

Email these students asking for a “profile”.

Feature students on the board and expand to online.

Establish an Elon Innovators page on various social media platforms.

Feature students and alumni working on innovative and entrepreneurial projects.

= '''Priority #7: Interdisciplinary Classes''' =

=== Purpose: ===

One opportunity for improvement at Elon is a current lack of interdisciplinary courses which bring together different subjects to engage students in subjects outside of their majors. Elon should create courses to combat this which bring together the different disciplines offered on campus to offer students a well-rounded education by connecting areas of study.

=== Strategies: ===

Strategize with a team to create and test prototype (aka mock syllabi, possible coursework, lecturers, etc.).

Get feedback from students to gauge who would be interested, gain support.

Contact the Dean of the Love School of Business, Raghu Tadepalli, about the possibility of the course(s).

Propose course(s) to academic council, department heads of all schools, provost, and more faculty who could help introduce the course(s) into our curriculum.

= '''Priority #8: Increase Innovation and Entrepreneurship Engagement''' =

=== Purpose: ===

The campus does not lack innovation or entrepreneurship events and resources. Instead, the campus must cultivate student engagement in entrepreneurship and innovation. There are more events hosted than students who attend. In order to increase engagement with entrepreneurship courses, maker hub spaces, and other opportunities, there must be an investigation into the lack of student involvement.

 

=== Strategies: ===

Engage Elon students in conversations and surveys with students in regards to their motivation for attending campus events. The following questions can guide the conversation:

a. How did you find out about this event? (Email Newsletter, Flyer, Word-of-mouth)

b. Is this event related to your major?

c. Were you required to attend?

Analyze data compiled by Nicole Filippo, communications manager, to explore university advertisement engagement rates. It will help determine how to target students who express interest in innovation and

entrepreneurship events.

Implement a method of working from the inside-out: Focus on engaging students who express an interest in innovation and entrepreneurship before reaching out to the broader student body.

Speak with students who have previously run successful events and determine causation for the student-body turnout.

Compile an overview of sources and successful methods of student engagement across campus.

Move entrepreneurship events to theaters with larger foot traffic such as Turner Theatre in the School of Communications.

=== University Innovation Fellows ===

Spring 2018: 

Yousaf Khan

Regan O'Donnell

Noor Irshaidat

Haley Brengartner 

Spring 2017:

Josh Cadorette

Briana Brady

James Setzer

Nick Smith

Spring 2016:

Elizabeth Jordan

Gabrielle Vance

Sean Webber

Kyle McKinley

William Kakavas

Spring 2015:

Ben Driscoll

Jensen Roll

Matt Snow

Giles Roll

Priorities:Elon University Student Priorities

2018-10-15T19:02:56Z

Gillian hook21:

[[File:Heading.jpg|border|Heading.jpg]]

2016 UIF Pitch [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAjhrGy_YII https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAjhrGy_YII]

2015 UIF Pitch [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGugNRw0iQ0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGugNRw0iQ0]



'''Priority 1: Community Involvement with UIF'''

Purpose:

By involving smaller Elon communities, like the Oaks Residential Neighborhood, with the University Innovation Fellows, we can share a more detailed aspect of our mission on campus. This will also allow for sophomores, juniors, and seniors to become more familiar with innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities. Moreover, when communities have themes, such as Oak’s “Emerging Adulthood”, we can share how innovation ties into them.

Strategies:

Reach out to the Directors of smaller communities within Elon (example: residential communities).

Talk with students to see which communities would be the most interested in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Advertise these opportunities in all areas on campus.

'''Priority 2: Students Motivating Students in Innovation Learning'''

Purpose: 

Inform the Elon community as a whole about innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities by allowing students to teach and motivate each other.  By doing this, students can feed off each other and create more ideas than they could when learning on their own.

Strategies:

Allow for students to create their own plans for learning about innovation.

Reach out to teachers to understand the ways in which students learn best.

Evaluate which learning activities seem to help students grasp innovation concepts better than others.

'''Priority 3: UIF Collaboration with Maker Hub'''

Purpose: 

To teach students on campus about the innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities on campus, while introducing them to the Maker Hub and all the resources it contains. To explore different innovative projects happening on campus and help students generate ideas in an environment that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship. 

Strategies:

Prepare a list of speakers around campus that have completed an innovative project 

Ask the Maker Hub to speak about the resources they have

Create a design space (“think space”) for students to collaborate and generate ideas for new innovative projects

Provide more awareness about the Maker Hub, the UIF program, the Doherty center, and the I&E program on campus

'''Priority 4: Burst the Bubble Coding Curriculum'''

Purpose:

To teach coding to students of all majors without the pressure of a grade, show people what UIF is all about, and recruit other students who inspire change and want to make the campus a more innovative space. This gives people of all majors the opportunity to learn to code in a positive environment without the pressure of a grade.

Strategies:

Decide on the best coding software to teach

Strategize with the team to decide how to best go about creating a curriculum to teach people of all exposures how to code

Contact the computer science department

'''Priority #5: Elon Maker Space Improvements'''

Purpose:

With the establishment of the Maker Hub in Fall 2015, Elon took the first step towards establishing a dedicated I&E makerspace. However, students still need a space that is effectively staffed, well and reliably equipped, and where they feel comfortable to brainstorm and prototype their ideas.

Strategies:

Identify what aspects of the Maker Hub are most in need of improvement. 

Work on training every student staff member on the full arsenal of tools and equipment available in order to streamline students' making process.

Improve equipment uptime; especially the 3D printers. 

Advertise the Maker Hub by integrating the space with traditional class curriculums.

Connect the space with other incubators in the area.

'''Priority #6: Elon Innovators Network'''

Purpose:

One way to encourage others to take their ideas and dreams to the next level is to show them that it has and is being done! This project would seek to shine a light on Elon’s current and past entrepreneurs.

Strategies:

Contact individual currently in charge of Doherty Center Electronic message board TV.

Research students involved with I&E on campus.

Email these students asking for a “profile”.

Feature students on the board and expand to online.

Establish an Elon Innovators page on various social media platforms.

Feature students and alumni working on innovative and entrepreneurial projects.

'''Priority #7: Interdisciplinary Classes'''

Purpose:

One opportunity for improvement at Elon is a current lack of interdisciplinary courses which bring together different subjects to engage students in subjects outside of their majors. Elon should create courses to combat this which bring together the different disciplines offered on campus to offer students a well-rounded education by connecting areas of study.

Strategies:

Strategize with a team to create and test prototype (aka mock syllabi, possible coursework, lecturers, etc.).

Get feedback from students to gauge who would be interested, gain support.

Contact the Dean of the Love School of Business, Raghu Tadepalli, about the possibility of the course(s).

Propose course(s) to academic council, department heads of all schools, provost, and more faculty who could help introduce the course(s) into our curriculum.

'''Priority #8: Increase Innovation and Entrepreneurship Engagement'''

Purpose:

The campus does not lack innovation or entrepreneurship events and resources. Instead, the campus must cultivate student engagement in entrepreneurship and innovation. There are more events hosted than students who attend. In order to increase engagement with entrepreneurship courses, maker hub spaces, and other opportunities, there must be an investigation into the lack of student involvement.

 

Strategies:

Engage Elon students in conversations and surveys with students in regards to their motivation for attending campus events. The following questions can guide the conversation:

a. How did you find out about this event? (Email Newsletter, Flyer, Word-of-mouth)

b. Is this event related to your major?

c. Were you required to attend?

Analyze data compiled by Nicole Filippo, communications manager, to explore university advertisement engagement rates. It will help determine how to target students who express interest in innovation and

entrepreneurship events.

Implement a method of working from the inside-out: Focus on engaging students who express an interest in innovation and entrepreneurship before reaching out to the broader student body.

Speak with students who have previously run successful events and determine causation for the student-body turnout.

Compile an overview of sources and successful methods of student engagement across campus.

Move entrepreneurship events to theaters with larger foot traffic such as Turner Theatre in the School of Communications.

University Innovation Fellows

Spring 2018: 

Yousaf Khan

Regan O'Donnell

Noor Irshaidat

Haley Brengartner 

Spring 2017:

Josh Cadorette

Briana Brady

James Setzer

Nick Smith

Spring 2016:

Elizabeth Jordan

Gabrielle Vance

Sean Webber

Kyle McKinley

William Kakavas

Spring 2015:

Ben Driscoll

Jensen Roll

Matt Snow

Giles Roll