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Sophomore Samantha Glass becomes �鶹ӰԺ State Stark’s first University Innovation Fellow. Her efforts will spark new opportunities for student innovation, entrepreneurship, design and creativity on campus.

Sophomore computer science major Samantha Glass had forgotten how much she loved coding. She’d gotten lost in larger classes on a larger campus, wasn’t doing well academically and was just about ready to give up when she transferred to �鶹ӰԺ at Stark. 

“I retook a computer science course here, with Professor [Angela] Guercio and remembered why I had chosen my major,” says Glass, crediting the smaller class size and personal attention from faculty. “I rediscovered my passion for technology and innovation, and now I’m also passionate about �鶹ӰԺ State Stark.”

Today, Glass spends weekends at hackathons (computer programming competitions) around Ohio and surrounding states. A Computer Club member, she helped plan and judge �鶹ӰԺ Hack Enough, Ohio’s largest collegiate hackathon, at the �鶹ӰԺ Campus in October. She designs Android apps for fun. And she’s working to spread her enthusiasm for all things creative and entrepreneurial as �鶹ӰԺ State Stark’s first-ever member of University Innovation Fellowship.

STUDENTS INSPIRING STUDENTS

This national fellowship program trains student leaders to create new opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, design thinking and creativity at their schools. Operated by the National Center for Engineering Pathways to Innovation (Epicenter), which is funded by the National Science Foundation, the program inspires fellows to design innovation spaces, start entrepreneurship organizations, host experiential learning events and work with faculty to develop new courses. 

University Innovation Fellowship has trained nearly 500 fellows at more than 130 schools. Fellows range from undergraduates to Ph.D. students and major in a variety of fields, from engineering to architecture. 

“One of the fellows at the �鶹ӰԺ Campus invited me to come to a meeting about the program,” says Glass. “She wanted me to apply and offered to help me find funding. Weeks later, I sent a proposal to the Stark Campus deans, telling them who I was and what I wanted to do for Stark. We talked more about it and they agreed to sponsor the cost of my fellowship.”

Glass became a fellow after completing six weeks of training in fall 2015. She joins seven other �鶹ӰԺ State student fellows from �鶹ӰԺ and Tuscarawas campuses.

NEW IDEAS FOR KENT STATE STARK

As part of her training, Glass analyzed �鶹ӰԺ State Stark’s innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities — everything from labs and competitions to business development resources, such as the Small Business Development Center and SCORE. Now she will begin planning ways to leverage or supplement them.

�鶹ӰԺ State’s fellows meet every two weeks and attend occasional regional meetings to learn from other schools and discuss best practices. Each spring, they attend a national meeting at Stanford University in California, where University Innovation Fellowship began.

“I’d like to get more Stark Campus students into the program so we can build a team and tackle things together,” says Glass. “I have a lot of ideas — maybe creating a new lab or innovation space. I’m just getting started.”

Dr. Angela Guercio, associate professor of computer science, is Glass’ faculty sponsor. She helps Glass carry out projects.

“Sami is an exceptional student,” says Guercio. “She’s full of ideas, committed and passionate about what she does. When she came to me about the fellowship, I immediately agreed to help. She’s perfect for this opportunity.”

GRASS-ROOTS CHANGE FOR UNIVERSITIES 

The University Innovation Fellowship empowers students and prepares them with creative, problem-solving skills they will need for next-generation careers, adds Guercio. 

“Students make a university, so getting their input and allowing them to participate in changing and growing the university only makes sense,” she says.

That’s especially true for students who love their campus as much as Glass loves �鶹ӰԺ State Stark. 

“It’s important to take classes, but education also happens outside the classroom,” says Glass. “That’s where my fellowship will have the biggest impact — finding ways to provide more learning opportunities and resources for Stark Campus students.”