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= Strategy #3: ) Engage*d Instituteof Design Thinking and Social Innovation<br/> = === Vision: <br/> === In alignment with Furman’s commitment to the liberal arts, The Engage*d Institute of Design Thinking and Social Innovationcreates an environment where knowledge, passion and creativity intersect in a collaborative setting. <br/> <br/>Engage*d is a living classroom where real world problems are defined and sustainable solutions are developed with partners, stakeholders, users and experts. Through curricular couress and extracurricular projects, students, professors and communtiy partners engage in design thinking, a creative problem solving methodology that combines creative and analytical approaches. Students learn by defining problems that are based off of fieldwork, uncovering the real human needs that they want to address. In cycling through the process multiple times on every project, students benefit from applying their knowledge outside the classroom in a collaborative setting and partners benefit by gaining new perspectives, new insights and new solutions.<br/><br/>In partnership with the Hasso Plattner Institue of Design at Stanford and a network of d.schools around the world, the Engage*d Institute brings design thinking to the undergraduate education experience in a meaningful way. === '''Focus Areas:''' === I) Learning and Education<br/> II) Health and Wellness<br/>III) &nbsp;Social Entrepreneurship<br/>IV) Sustainability and Community Development === '''Project Phases:''' === '''Phase I: '''Pilot design thinking on campus through existing programs by integrating the methodology into each of the Engaged Learning programs and offering a May Experience elective course in Design for Social Change, which introduces the methodology through Furman’s art department. (completed May 2013) '''Phase II: '''Build a case for the development of Engage*d Institute on campus, which is home to Furman design thinking courses, professional development programs, a social entrepreneurship incubator, a community café and collaboration spaces.<br/><br/>'''Phase III) &nbsp;'''Partner with companies, organizations, schools and other universities to teach design thinking as a strategy for problem solving and innovation. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I) Educator Training II) Executive Training III) Student Consulting