Students can make a positive difference at Wake Tech by participating in the Eagle Innovation Challenge (EIC), an initiative designed to help them engage in social entrepreneurship and develop 21st-century skills.
EIC students participate in the applied benchmarking process by identifying a problem to solve or a process to improve, contacting an expert to research best practices and creating an innovative proposal for change.
Students can submit their projects to a selection committee between November and March, and finalists are invited to participate in the EIC Showcase held each April. The winner receives a $1,000 scholarship, and all finalists have opportunities to talk with college leaders about their ideas.
Here are some examples of previous showcase projects:
Digital ID Integration in the Wake Tech App Digital IDs embedded into the Wake Tech app could improve campus access, reduce dependency on physical cards and cut related costs.
Peer Study Group Finder Feature A new app feature could help students find or create peer study groups to address the challenges of forming study groups online or in location-restricted settings.
Building Community Through Informal Student Engagement Informal, yet structured, spaces could be created for students to connect, share experiences and support one another through activities such as library discussions, shared meals and cultural events to address social disconnection.
Centralized Communication Portal for Student Support A mobile-friendly community portal could streamline communication and enhance student success through better connectivity.
Art for Wellness Initiative Across Wake Tech Campuses Visual art could be incorporated into campus life through interactive art activities and guided workshops as a pathway to relaxation, self-awareness and a sense of belonging.
Showcase participants who plan to return to Wake Tech also become eligible to apply for the University Innovation Fellows program. Originally developed by Stanford University through a U.S. National Science Foundation grant, the prestigious program is now hosted by the University of Twente in Enschede, Netherlands. It focuses on building innovation and making change at colleges and universities.
