Changes

Valerie Sherry has been a University Innovation Fellow at the University of Maryland since November 2013, where she is pursuing a Masters degree in Architecture. Her thesis research involves designing informal networks for learning spaces and explores how spatial agency might promote discovery, learning, and play in the public realm. Might there be strategies in which space may enhance or support educational inquiry and interaction? How might we expand our concept of learning spaces within community constructs so that urban learning spaces might be thought of as a network of entry points to education and economic mobility for marginalized populations? As a fellow, Valerie works with university administrations, fellow students, as well as local, regional, and global partners using a system’s thinking approach to design learning experiences and spaces that empower stakeholders to engage in lateral thinking and implementation of their ideas.

As an undergraduate at Brown a fellow, Valerie is passionate about connecting people with diverse expertise in order to enhance communication and promote cross-fertilization between fields. At the Universityof Maryland, Valerie pursued personalized learning helped launch Social Design Lab, a student design community where student teams pursue their passions through social design projects with the support of interdisciplinary peers, and connected campus resources. Valerie also works as a liberal arts driven inquiry. During her Design Thinking Facilitator with UMD’s Academy for Innovation and Entrepreneurship helping to facilitate design thinking and lean Launchpad modules in current undergraduate academic career she constructed her architectural studies major around complimentary courses . Valerie plays an active role in art, engineering, urban economicsher school community connecting students, psychologyfaculty, environmental scienceadministration, social entrepreneurship and management scienceregional partners. Valerie was a four year Division I collegiate athlete on In Spring 2013 she launched an initiative, Design Tent where participants with diverse expertise engage in opportunities to play under the Brown University Women’s Lacrosse Team where same tent providing forums to exchange mutual knowledge. Since then she learned the importance of a team centered attitude, drive and leadershiphas continued to design curriculum that allows participants to actively venture outside their comfort zone. As a member of the Women’s Leadership Council and Women’s Launch Pad mentorship program her school’s curriculum committee she participated in engaging seeks to ensure that seeking student voice and mentor interestsinput is a common ingredient when decisions regarding changes to their educational environment are made.

Valerie is passionate about connecting people with diverse expertise in order to enhance communication and promote cross-fertilization between fields. At the As an undergraduate at Brown University of Maryland, Valerie helped launch Social Design Lab, pursued personalized learning through a student design community where student teams pursue their passions through social design projects with the support of interdisciplinary peers, and connected campus resourcesliberal arts driven inquiry. Valerie also works as a Design Thinking Facilitator with UMD’s Academy for Innovation and Entrepreneurship helping to facilitate design thinking and lean Launchpad modules in current During her undergraduate academic career she constructed her architectural studies major around complimentary courses. At the University of Maryland she is active in her school community connecting studentsart, engineering, urban economics, facultypsychology, administrationenvironmental science, social entrepreneurship and regional partnersmanagement science. In Spring 2013 Valerie was a four year Division I collegiate athlete on the Brown University Women’s Lacrosse Team where she launched an initiativelearned the importance of a team centered attitude, Design Tent where participants engage in opportunities where participants with diverse expertise play under the same tent providing opportunities to exchange mutual knowledge. Since then she has continued to design curriculum that allows participants to actively venture outside their comfort zonedrive and leadership. As a member of her school’s curriculum committee the Women’s Leadership Council and Women’s Launch Pad mentorship program she seeks to ensure that seeking participated in engaging student voice and input is a common ingredient when decisions regarding changes to their educational environment are madementor interests. Throughout her academic career, Valerie has also studied at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Universitat de Barcelona and Yestermorrow Design/Build School. In years leading to graduate school Valerie gained professional experience as a designer, architectural intern, construction manager, and building scientist. She is a CPHC (Certified Passive House Consultant), LEED AP and International Living Futures Institutemember.