How might Lindenwood University position itself as a community leader for diversity, equity, and inclusion? That question, announced Friday by Dr. John Porter, will be the task-at-hand for the 2021 Social Innovation Challenge teams.
Three teams, comprised of students and employees who applied to participate in this inaugural project, will spend six weeks developing creative solutions and a proposal. The teams completed design thinking training and will spend six weeks formulating solutions to this challenge. After six weeks, each team will have developed their innovative solution to the challenge and prepare a pitch. Teams will present their solution to a virtual panel of judges Friday, April 23. The judges will evaluate the proposals and select one group as the recipient of The Porter Prize.
The 2021 judging panel will feature Dr. John Porter, president of Lindenwood University, Mrs. Emily Pitts, local business leader and entrepreneur, Myron Burr, instructional designer and co-chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force at Lindenwood, Jenna Biagi, vice president of community outreach for Lindenwood Student Government, and Bre Watts, vice president of the Lindenwood Alumni Advisory Council.
The judges will evaluate the proposals and select one team as the recipient for the inaugural awarding of The Porter Prize. In addition, all participants will receive a professional development certificate in design thinking. Lindenwood congratulates all team members on their selection and commitment to finding creative and innovative solutions to community challenges.
Team 1, coached by Dr. Lynda Leavitt
- Danielle Thomas, M.F.A. student
- Jorge Oliveros Criado, international relations student
- Rachael Heuermann, director of alumni relations
- Elizabeth Snell, assistant director for study abroad and academic engagement
- Larry Acker, professor, healthcare management
Team 2, coached by Dr. Bethany Alden-Rivers
- Leonard Brown, interdisciplinary studies student
- Andrea Charles, political science student
- Dillon Bittiker, enrollment management communications
- Joy V. Peluchette, senior professor, management
- James Hutson, professor, art and design
Team 3, coached by Dr. Michael Leary
- Jeffrey Deckelbaum, Ed.D. student
- Alexia Prudencio Soligno, international relations student
- Emily Sebourn, special events
- Julie Turner, professor, nonprofit administration
- Michael Fetters, digital librarian
