Priorities:Duke University Student Priorities

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Duke University Cohorts


SPRING 2024 PRIORITIES

Strategy #1: Empowering Changemakers with Design Thinking Training and Leadership Frameworks

Applied Design Thinking Course:

Duke’s campus is home to numerous changemaker communities, including the Duke Student Government and the Cube. However, these groups lack formal training; new students typically learn through unstructured methods like word-of-mouth and observation.

This initiative aims to create a structured course for members of these groups, teaching design thinking and effective project workflows. Students will gain hands-on experience with design thinking frameworks, allowing them to apply these skills in campus projects within a supportive, risk-free environment.

MILESTONES:

  • Design Coursework: January 2024
  • Present Course Outline to Stakeholders: February 2024
  • Hold Training Sessions: March 2024
  • Mentor Students as They Implement Ideas: April 2024

Strategy #2: Fostering Community and Intentionality for Student Founders

Maker hours:

Entrepreneurship at Duke is on the rise, with more students building projects and taking gap semesters to pursue impactful ventures. However, balancing these initiatives with demanding coursework and other commitments can be challenging.

This strategy envisions a dedicated space and time each Sunday, where student builders gather for food, structured “maker hours,” and shared reflections. This community will encourage accountability, peer learning, and resilience in facing setbacks.

MILESTONES:

  • Gauge Interest: January 2024
  • Organize and Launch Space: February 2024
  • Hold Weekly Sessions: March – April 2024
  • Evaluate Success: May 2024


University Innovation Fellows: Aditya Raj, Hannah Gross, Raaiqa Zahid

UIF Guide: Jeni Weber

Faculty Champion: Vivek Rao



SPRING 2018 PRIORITIES

Strategy #1: Increase experiential learning opportunities 

Applied Design Thinking Course: Implement a design thinking course within the Duke Innovation and Entrepreneurship program to fill the gap in experiential learning opportunities at Duke and give students a chance to learn by doing. The goal is to get students comfortable with ideation and rapid prototyping, and then to partner with a local nonprofit to implement an innovative product/process. 

MILESTONES:

Buy-in on the course structure - April 2018

Choosing an instructor - Summer 2018

Finalize syllabus - Summer 2018

Engage local nonprofits - Fall 2018

Strategy #2: Increase student awareness of Innovation & Entrepreneurship resources on campus

Through research, we found that there are multiple I&E resources already on campus, but there is limited awareness of these resources. We would like to raise awareness by addressing these resources before the students even come on campus. We would include information on an "unofficial" design thinking concentration on the Incoming Student Website, so that students have a list of courses, workshops, and other resources available both on campus and in the local community. This roadmap consolidates all the available opportunities in one place for students to access and help guide their journey once school begins.

University Innovation Fellows: Winny Arindrani, Zoe De Bruycker, Griffin Mueller, Justin Tang 

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