NEXT Innovation Scholars Leadership Development track

How Might We... create a leadership structure that works for a diverse range of students and gives them the skills and experiences to be successful?

This was the leading question when developing the NIS leadership development track.

Way back in the Fall of 2023 - a very long time ago - I went through the Stanford University Innovation Fellows training with two of my NIS peers. After completing the training, we were tasked with completing a high-impact project that empowers more students to engage with innovation at the University of Cincinnati. Thus, the "NEXT New Deal" was born, a 3-year strategic plan aimed at leveling up the NEXT Innovation Scholars program. Our program was rapidly scaling, going from 10 students in 2021 to the target goal of 70 by 2028.

One of our sub-goals of the project was to increase leadership opportunities in the program. I was tasked with owning and developing this space as I co-oped with NIS in the spring of 2024. At first, I wasn't sure how to start.

I started by staring at a blank whiteboard. Turned on some music. And began to envision what could be? What does NIS look like at its best? What does the NIS leadership experience look like? What skills and experience do students walk away with?

As I doodled away, I let my imagination run wild. Then, over time, I gained feedback from program leadership. It was lots of "I like this, however, what if we did this part this way?". Eventually, I presented to a few students to see how they reacted. It went well, and I was able to incorporate their feedback effectively.

We rolled out v1 of the NIS leadership development track in April of 2024. We presented the horizontal model where students gain responsibility and autonomy as they progress. There are currently three layers: the Sandbox (where students start their journey), the Project Lead and Jr. Strategist, and the Senior Project Lead and Strategist.

The result? Student leaders are now fully leading projects with corporate and campus partners. Students are having experiences that they can add to their resume as well as talk about in interviews. Students are gaining honors experiences.

I'm writing this as we are about to board our second cohort of the Sandbox. It's been an incredible journey of ups and downs. One of my largest takeaways from this experience is how to take an idea from concept to reality. As well as how to implement a new system into an established entity.