Bridging the Center for the Silicon Heartland with Silicon Valley

Forming UC’s NEXT Innovation Scholars into global tech leaders

At the University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub, a suite consistently buzzes with student activity and spirited discussions.

The room is occupied by UC’s NEXT Innovation Scholars (NIS) program, where rising stars are shaping the future of innovation. This signature scholarship initiative elevates students beyond traditional discipline-based degree programs by cultivating an interdisciplinary approach that molds forward-thinking problem-solvers capable of navigating a complex, rapidly evolving world.

Recently, seven NIS students embarked on a transformative journey to San Francisco, California, as part of their leadership development pathway. These scholars are poised to lead commercial insights projects in the upcoming academic year, and this trip provided them with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of innovation strategies while expanding their professional networks.

“Students in the NEXT Innovation Scholars program participate in a variety of innovation-focused experiential learning engagements and industry-sponsored projects each year,” said Aaron Bradley, director of the NIS program, “so we really focus on leveling up their innovation toolkit and strategies for engaging in this kind of work. Immersive experiences and professional trainings like the ones they participated in during this trip are key to making this a signature UC program.”

Bearcats in the Bay Area

NIS students work together, some looking at items on a desk and others writing on sheets of paper taped to a glass wall.

NIS students in action at Jump Associates: From left to right, closest to glass wall, are Sharvari Patil, Faith Rider, nearest the table, Eliza Angelo, Mallika Desai, Sophia Lammi and Yasmine Shaban. Photo/NIS

The experience in San Francisco kicked off with a systems thinking workshop at Forum for the Future, a leading international sustainability nonprofit that works with global brands. There, students engaged in discussions about long-term strategic thinking and heard from leaders of the Long Now Foundation, an organization dedicated to encouraging longer-term innovative solutions to tackle pressing challenges. These sessions empowered the UC students to view problems from a broader, more comprehensive lens, equipping them with the tools to understand how interconnected systems shape the future of business and society.

Second-year student Sharvari Patil shared some insights from becoming a NEXT Innovation Scholar and going on the trip to California: “The NIS program has elevated the college experience for me by carving a unique path where learning and doing intertwine. As part of this journey, I am incessantly being connected — to purpose, to change and, most importantly, to distinguished individuals that handcraft my worldview with the stories they share.”

Many of these connections Patil references came from her time in California’s Silicon Valley, the global center of technological innovation.

Jumping into innovation

NIS students pose in front of a large arch.

NIS students from left to right, Yasmine Shaban, Eliza Angelo, Faith Rider, Sharvari Patil, Mallika Desai, Sophia Lammi and Charlie Harker. Photo/NIS

The Bearcat students participated in strategy consulting and scenario mapping applications of intentional foresight with consulting firm Jump Associates. An exciting part of the experience was meeting Amelia Carpenter, a UC alumna who is Jump’s senior innovation strategist. She led the students through a two-day training session that allowed students to explore emerging trends in specific industry clusters.

Carpenter is an advocate of paying it forward to the next generation of UC visionaries.

“Jump’s collaboration with NIS over the last few years has been a two-way street of learning, ideas and inspiration,” Carpenter said. “Just as much as we value the opportunity to share Jump methods and culture with such a brilliant cohort of students, they teach us new ways of seeing the world and inspire us with their zest for learning and the future.”

She added that Jump team members often quote author William Gibson, who said, “The future is already here — it’s just not evenly distributed.”

While at Jump, students had an opportunity to learn about specific tools used for ideation and solution development in the face of uncertainty.

“We deeply believe future-focused learning experiences are critical for students and business leaders alike,” Carpenter explained. “Jump is proud to be a part of the NIS journey.”

The NIS scholars capped off the trip by having a mini retreat at Stanford University. The students used this retreat to reflect on what they had learned, explore the future of the NIS program and discuss how to foster an innovative culture that extends beyond the classroom.

This trip and our access to influential thought leaders highlights the global reach and impact of the NIS program.

Aaron Bradley Director of the NIS program

A dream experience in California

For Charlie Harker, a UC pre-med student and NEXT Innovation Scholar, the experience was one she will cherish for years to come.

“I am truly grateful for this remarkable experience which I never imagined I would encounter, let alone within my first year of college,” Harker said. “The trip greatly deepened my understanding of the professional world and offered vital insights into various diverse career paths. Meeting with numerous UC alumni flourishing in prominent roles within the nation's center of innovation served as a powerful reminder of the possibilities that lie ahead. I will forever treasure this opportunity, the people I went with and the invaluable lessons it taught me.”

NIS students Charlie Harker, left, and Sharvari Patil. Photos/NIS

Harker’s sentiments resonated throughout the group. Following the trip, students expressed their inspiration to push the boundaries of their thinking and develop actionable insights to implement in Cincinnati. As the NIS program continues to grow, experiences like these will shape the next generation of leaders who are prepared to innovate, lead and solve complex challenges in an ever-evolving world.

“This trip and our access to influential thought leaders highlights the global reach and impact of the NIS program,” Bradley said. “The unique combination of curriculum and experiential learning opportunities across design thinking, systems thinking and strategic foresight are empowering our scholars to drive innovation within the university and in the broader global marketplace.”

Featured image at top: NIS students, from left to right, Eliza Angelo, Sophia Lammi, Faith Rider, Sharvari Patil, Charlie Harker, Mallika Desai and Yasmine Shaban at Jump Associates. Photo/NIS

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Bridging the Center for the Silicon Heartland with Silicon Valley