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Innovation Scholars
A hands-on honors experience from the Scripps College of Communication

Innovation Scholars

We created the Scripps Innovation Scholars program to give students the chance to unleash their innovative spirit. This is a program for bold, curious problem-solvers who are passionate about making positive change in their world. 

Meet the Innovation Scholars

2019-20 Cohort

Vanessa Abbitt

Vanessa Abbitt
Photojournalism major
Spanish minor
Social media certificate

 

Taylor Burnette

Taylor Burnette
Journalism News and Information major
History minor
Podcasting certificate

 

Greta Cargan
Media Arts and Studies major

 

Harlan Friedman-Romeo

Harlan Friedman-Romeo
Integrated Media major
History minor

 

Grace Gold

Grace Gold
Journalism Strategic Communication
Marketing
Advertising and Public Relations minors
Social Media Certificate

 

Ean McFadden

Ean McFadden
Games and Animation
Communication and Theatre corollary

2020-21 Cohort

Ethan Bloomfield

 

Juliana Colant

Juliana Colant
Journalism News and Information major
Screenwriting and Digital Storytelling minor
Social Media certificate

 

Kara Fedurek

Kara Fedurek
Journalism Strategic Communication major
Marketing and French minor

 

Evelyn Fowler

Evelyn Fowler
Communication Studies major
Marketing minor
Social Media certificate

 

Sedric Granger

Sedric Granger
Journalism News and Information major
Sports Management minor
Podcasting certificate

 

Daniel Gray
Journalism News and Information major

 

Jonah Hess

Jonah Hess
Games and Animation Major
Screenwriting and Digital Storytelling minor
English minor
Writing Certificate

 

Rowan Hetzer
Journalism News and Information major

 

Maddie James
Publication Design and History double major
Museum Studies certificate

 

John Mullaly
Integrated Media major

 

Claire Schiopota

Claire Schiopota
Journalism News and Information major
Political Science minor
Social Media certificate

 

Bryce Tinson

Bryce Tinson
News and Information major
Sports Administration minor
Podcasting certificate

2021-22 Cohort

Jalen Bailey
Music Production and Recording Industry major

 

McKenna Christy

McKenna Christy
Journalism News and Information major
Spanish and History minor

 

Zoe Cranfill

Zoe Cranfill
Visual Communication major
Entrepreneurship certificate

 

Alyssa Cruz
Journalism News and  Information major
Spanish minor
Latin American Studies and Diversity Studies certificates

 

Eliana D'Astici

Eliana D'Astici
Media Arts Production major
Business minor

 

Joi Foy
Journalism major

 

Samuel Gottfried
Media Arts Production major

 

Austin Lim
Music Production and Recording Industry major

 

Lydia Smith

Lydia Smith
Media and Social Change major
French and Journalism minors
Global Leadership and European Studies certificates

 

Eleni Wyrick

Eleni Wyrick
Communication Studies major
Sociology minor
Law, Justice and Culture certificate

Program Benefits

  • Innovation Scholars Receive:


    • A $1,500 scholarship renewable for four years.
    • $1,000 to use toward enrichment activities over the four-year experience.
    • Early, personalized access to the college's outstanding, supportive network. 
    • Mentorship opportunities with top faculty members. The first Innovation Scholars course is taught by Dean Scott Titsworth!
    • Entry into a cohort of other high-achieving, creative students whose interests complement each other.
  • If OHIO Honors Student, also Receive:


    • Access to honors housing
    • Priority registration
    • Honors designation on transcripts and diplomas
    • Other benefits offered by the OHIO Honors program

Program Overview

  • Year One | Explore

    Fall Semester

    Innovation Scholars will meet weekly with the dean of the Scripps College of Communication and other college leaders in a course called "Introduction to Communication Innovation" to complete readings and reflections, engage with guest speakers including faculty, alumni and students, and collaborate on service learning projects and student mentorship opportunities.

    Spring Semester: OHIO Honors course and Engagement Lab

    Regular check-ins with the dean and mentors to further develop innovation skills

  • Year Two | Plan

    Innovation Scholars will work closely with their mentors to determine the course of their innovation pathway. This will mean identifying a focus, gathering and conducting research, identifying potential barriers and how to get around them, and creating an actionable plan.

    OHIO Honors component involves exploring the three program pathways: community engagement, research and creative activity, and leadership. Students will complete two curricular experiences and two co-curricular experiences in any pathway and select a pathway concentration at the end of spring semester.

  • Year Three | Produce

    By now, Innovation Scholars will have learned to see their world through a lens of innovation; they'll be ready to share what they're learning with their project teammates and as mentors to first- and second-year Innovation Scholars. They will spend year three making the most of their access to resources and experts, conducting research, and working their problem.

  • Year Four | Share

    The final year of the Innovation Scholars experience will be dedicated to the capstone project, which will allow students to summarize and share what they have learned. This is also a year to celebrate everything they have accomplished, with special events and exclusive networking opportunities designed to prepare our Innovation Scholars for their next chapter.