The ideas for higher education innovation came from all
corners of the country: Michigan, Idaho, Texas, Pennsylvania and
Georgia. They originated from teams as diverse in their backgrounds
as in their geography.
The common thread among the ideas: All were dreamed up by high school
students at REP4 Regional Summits over the summer.
That’s the idea behind REP4 (Rapid Education Prototyping): Give the
next generation of college students the tools to innovate and set them
free to do it.
Events held at REP4 Alliance member schools, including Grand Valley,
Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania, Fort Valley State University
in Georgia, Amarillo College in Texas, and Boise State University in
Idaho, did just that.
Hundreds of students, many representing populations traditionally
underrepresented in higher education, were introduced to
design-thinking skills frequently used in business. They then used
those skills to brainstorm and hone ideas for colleges and
universities to develop into new ways of reaching underserved populations.
The work culminated in a national convening, hosted by Grand Valley,
which highlighted some of the best ideas and provided the same
students with a chance to upvote their favorite REP4 prototypes.
“The most important piece of the work is that you discover more about
yourself and what you want. You understand you have power in this
educational journey,” President Philomena V. Mantella told
participants in the Regional Summit held in Allendale over the summer.
Mantella watched the premiere of the virtual national convening in
her office with previous REP4 participants who are now attending Grand Valley.
Jordan Bernal, from Victoria, Texas, had been part of one of the
first REP4 student cohorts in 2020.
“Seeing what we did in summer 2020 turn into something like this, and
to see it grow, and keep growing is exciting,” Bernal said after
viewing the program. “Being apart of it the whole way makes me feel
proud and honored.”
Voting on the top ideas from the national convening continued into
late October with hundreds of classrooms around the country expected
to participate.
Two ideas originating with students who attended the summer summits
at Grand Valley included:
Monthly Care Package: An app that allows students to
select from a wide variety of basic products they need and have them
delivered to their residence. Offerings may include food, toiletries
and other products designed to make college life easier for those in need.
Project 180: Grand Valley State University: An app
designed to reverse the perception of failure into a lesson that can
be used to create positive outcomes for students. The app can also
connect students to personal, professional assistance, if desired.
