NEXT Innovation Scholars Program helped seal the deal for one student

Currently studying economics in the University of Cincinnati's Carl H. Lindner College of Business with a planned minor in public health, Kemats said being selected for the NEXT Innovation Scholars (NIS) program was what solidified his choice of UC.

“I knew this program was transformative both in and out of the classroom, and after being in the program for a year — it blew any expectation I had out of the water,” Kemats said.

Spearheaded by President Neville G. Pinto and aligned with UC’s Next Lives Here strategic direction, the NIS program is a highly selective scholarship program at UC. It immerses students by cultivating a diverse cohort of resilient, forward-thinking problem-solvers who embrace uncertainty with the intellect, curiosity and confidence to become innovative leaders in a complex world.

Kemats also will earn a certificate in innovation and design thinking.

“The experience I’m gaining as a UC NIS student has the potential to be applicable in such a wide range of fields,” Kemats said. “I love human-centered design and learning, so hopefully, a career that involves both.”

Aaron Bradley, director of the NIS program stated:  "Max is one of the first students we recruited to NIS directly from high school; it’s kind of hard to believe he’s only been in the program for a year because he’s already done so much to strengthen our project teams and contribute to the overall NIS community and innovation ecosystem. He’s curious, diligent, and always asks great questions. Max has really leaned into making the most the opportunities this program offers, and it’s been really rewarding to watch him grow into a leader in such a short time."

Currently, Kemats channels most of his time toward immersive engagement projects within the NIS program. Kemats worked with fellow NIS students to complete a Strategic Foresight research project studying societal macro trends and their potential implications for the future, and the development of a Design Thinking Workshop catering to high school students. Demonstrating his dynamic work ethic, Kemats was appointed to the pivotal role of UC director of transportation within the undergraduate student government for the academic year 2023-24.

Yet, Kemats balances his commitments by fulfilling his responsibilities as a student worker at the 1819 Innovation Hub. In this capacity, he posts across diverse social and digital channels.

“As a social media intern at 1819, I’ve had so many great opportunities to get a real look into how a corporate office operates. Being able to create content for the innovation hub and collaborating with the UC Ground Floor Makerspace has been a super fun journey as well,” Kemats said. “I’ve loved working there, and my supervisors are super encouraging and positive, which I am greatly appreciative of.”

Kemats’ contributions through his research pursuits extend beyond social media posting by delving into the intricacies of written and visual content generated by individuals. He illustrates the complexities of his work, shedding light on the analysis of how contributors within the realm of open-source software cultivate their online personas.

In collaboration with Sherae Daniel, PhD, an associate professor at UC Carl H. Lindner College of Business specializing in operations, business analytics, and information systems, Kemats effectively established a connection between a person's activity on various social media platforms and the impactful impressions they create. These impressions play a pivotal role in shaping recommendations that an individual attracts.

Recently, Kemats and a group of NIS students were commissioned by E. & J. Gallo Winery to engage in a confidential project. While in California, they unveiled their findings to executives and engaged in a workshop alongside employees from Gallo's innovation team.

“My favorite takeaway from the trip was seeing the power of multidisciplinary teams," Kemats said. "It's inspiring to watch economists, designers and physicists all working together. This is where true innovation happens."

Kemats also expressed his appreciation to Bradley, acknowledging how his mentorship honed specific skill sets.

“This summer, I have used all of these skills in my work, allowing me to excel and which I believe will be valuable in future endeavors I pursue," he said.

Featured image at top: Max Kemats. Photo/Aidan Wallace