Two Gator Engineering students have been selected for University Innovation Fellows, a program of the National Center for Engineering Pathways to Innovation (Epicenter), which is funded by the National Science Foundation and housed at Stanford University.
Natalie DeVarona and Daniel Kleinman – both mentored by Erik Sander, director of UF’s Engineering Innovation Institute – were among 123 student leaders from around the country who were recently selected. The fellowship program seeks to empower engineering students to increase their campus engagement with entrepreneurship, innovation, creativity, design thinking and venture creation. They are encouraged to become agents of change.
“Our program provides a platform for Fellows to learn to be strategic thinkers, examine the landscape of learning opportunities at their schools, and formulate action plans to implement their ideas,” said Leticia Britos Cavagnaro, co-leader of the Fellows program and Deputy Director of Epicenter. “Fellows develop a community and share strategies about what’s working at their schools. Ultimately, these students, with their drive and motivation, are leading accelerated change in higher education.”
Cammy Abernathy, dean of UF College of Engineering, was selected as a member of Epicenter’s National Advisory Board in spring of 2014.