Vanderbilt University staff are encouraged to register for a design thinking event on Tuesday, April 4, to prototype solutions for issues identified in the “50 Ideas, 50 Solutions in 50 Days: Innovating for the Next 150 Years of Vanderbilt University” initiative.
The event will take place at the Student Life Center Ballroom in two sessions. Session one will take place from 10 A.M. to noon, and session two will follow at 1 to 3 P.M. Participants will be divided into groups and facilitators will help lead the ideation process.
To celebrate Vanderbilt’s Sesquicentennial and inspired by the university’s “Dare to Grow” motto, “50 Ideas, 50 Solutions in 50 Days” was created to address ideas from university staff regarding issues they have experienced with systems or processes in their work. To receive these ideas, the Wond’ry hosted a digital suggestion box.
Submissions ranged from improving accessible images around campus to a redesigned onboarding experience. After careful evaluation, 50 ideas were selected for the design thinking event on April 4.
“This event will showcase the remarkable culture of growth and innovation embodied by our staff, who play a vital role in furthering Vanderbilt’s mission of teaching and discovery,” Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said. “I look forward to seeing ideas transformed into solutions that will make the university workplace even better.” 
All submitted ideas, whether chosen for the initiative or not, will be part of an ongoing process to build a stronger community at Vanderbilt. The Wond’ry’s digital suggestion box will remain open throughout the year.
As part of the outreach process, the Wond’ry team took its Innovation Icicle Tricycle for a spin on campus to offer frozen treats to staff and talk with them about their ideas.
“It was inspiring to talk to university staff and really listen to their vision for how Vanderbilt could innovate—who we could become,” said Yesenia Sevilla, director of strategic engagement and ecosystem development at the Wond’ry.
If you are interested in attending the April 4 design thinking event, please register here by 11:59 p.m. on April 2. Seating is limited.