Danny O'Connor

Inquiry to Innovation was truly one of the most unique classroom experiences I have had in my time thus far at the University of Cincinnati. I was initially attracted to the course after receiving an email that described its learning outcomes and instructors, who happened to be the director of the new UC Forward program and a member of the Board of Trustees. Through this course, I learned a variety of ways in which I can further empower myself as an individual, and work to empower the university. Through reading excerpts of such books as Mastery, Outliers, and Blink. I learned effective ways of thinking that are embodied by history’s most successful individuals. I learned of the importance of expanding the mind beyond one’s own discipline and area of study in order to collaborate in a vastly intersected global community. Most importantly, however, I left class with lasting friends and mentors. 

 

The primary staple of Inquiry to Innovation was the construction of a project that sought to yield a lasting positive change on the university. For this endeavor, I paired up with another student. Throughout the semester, we met with staff, faculty, and various other university officials to accomplish our end goal and propagate new academic policies that will hopefully empower a large population of UC students for years to come. 

 

Attached as my artifact is the journal I was instructed to keep throughout the semester to serve as my reflective component in the course, as well as the executive summary my partner and I put together as part of our final presentation. Together, these pieces reflect the work we completed over the course of the semester, as well as the critical thinking component the course constantly called for.