UC Next Innovation Scholars take Manhattan

Adding an unexpected twist, Stricker revealed the unique opportunity for students to present their findings to Kao's international executives in Manhattan. The boardroom ascended 41 stories above New York City's Penn Plaza, offering panoramic views of iconic landmarks, including the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and the Chrysler Building.

“Empowering university students in corporate brand ideation is not just a collaboration; it's an investment in the future. Their fresh perspectives, innovative thinking and limitless creativity serve as catalysts for shaping brands that resonate in the dynamic landscape of tomorrow,” affirms Stricker. “By engaging students, we ensure that our brands evolve with relevance, authenticity and a pulse on the aspirations of the next generation. The University of Cincinnati and the Next Innovation Scholars program have emerged as valued partners for Kao, offering expertise across a spectrum that includes consumer research, design, technology exploration and more.”

While specific details remain proprietary and confidential, the ambitious project had NIS students researching an expansive array of generative artificial intelligence or AI. With a meticulous approach, they examined various AI tools to optimize workflow, ensuring innovative strategies aligned seamlessly with Molton Brown's unique brand goals.

Director of Next Innovation Scholars, Aaron Bradley, says, "NIS is honored that an industry partner like Kao would seek us out to provide insights on the future of their brands; they consistently demonstrate their commitment to pushing the boundaries of conventional thought, and we’re excited to be trusted as thought partners in that journey.”

A diverse group of seven NIS students representing 11 majors joined forces, harnessing the power of generative AI to reshape the landscape of contemporary marketing and content creation. They examined 51 distinct AI tools, assessing them for software capabilities, pricing and overall value.

Bradley adds, “Our program’s position in the 1819 Innovation Hub ecosystem creates a unique platform for future-focused collaboration between academia and industry, and this project with Kao is a great example of what can happen when industry partners leverage the talents of our top-tier students to ignite transformative solutions.”

NIS students like Eliza Angelo, majoring in operations management, international business and business analytics, emphasized how the project influenced her academic pursuits. Angelo pointed out the limitations of typical major-centric classes, where insights from diverse disciplines often go unheard, hindering opportunities for integrating varied ideas and perspectives into academic and personal growth.

“With this project, I got to lean into a budding passion of digital marketing by learning from students who know the field, and I was able to learn about AI from students interested in building their own AI one day. I also was in a position to help teach others,” states Angelo.

“One major role I took on in this project was project management, a skill I learned in one of my classes at the Lindner College of Business and was able to share with the other team members. The feeling of presenting this project, built from our collective expertise in New York City, to professionals genuinely interested in our work was one of the most rewarding experiences of my UC career.”

Faith Rider, a computer science student at UC, emphasized the distinct nuances of each generative AI tool. The team's exploration focused on choosing options that best aligned with project goals and the brand.

“We weren’t just putting our name out there to show what NIS can do. We were representing the values and initiatives of UC. Being in the NIS program has reframed how I view my time at UC. I knew I would eventually have the opportunity to travel for work and meet directly with external clients, but to be able to start making those connections when I'm still an undergrad has been incredible,” shared Rider.  “Presenting to the KAO team was a key component in fully explaining what we learned during the project, but it also served as an opportunity to make long-term connections.”

As per Rider, a significant focal point of the team's discussions revolved around ensuring they avoided imposing limitations: "Some of the most exciting content we shared with the Kao team was beyond the required deliverables. That drive to consistently go beyond expectations is what sets NIS apart.”

Concluding their role as consultants, these 20-year-old undergraduates showcased groundbreaking work to an international team, an extraordinary experience uncommon in the university journey.

Featured image at top: Next Innovation Scholars pose with the Empire State Building at Kao offices atop Penn Station in New York: back row from left, Aaron Bradley, Jackie Cunningham, Faith Rider, Eliza Angelo; front row from left, Gabriel Willard, Sharvari Patil, Sophia Lammi, Mallika Desai, Sydney Myers. Photo/Faith Rider