In this episode of the Innovating Together Podcast, host Bridget Burns introduces two trailblazers from the University Innovation Alliance (UIA) Fellows Program, Amy Martin and Renata Opoczynski, who share their transformative journey at Michigan State University (MSU). Recorded at the UIA National Summit, the episode highlights how MSU sustained student success despite significant challenges, including seven presidents and five provosts in a decade, alongside institutional trauma. Amy and Renata reveal the power of process mapping—a low-cost, high-impact tool sparked by a 2015 UIA convening at Georgia State—that drove systemic change by exposing inefficiencies and fostering student-centered solutions. Their story underscores the Fellows Program’s role in building a pipeline of innovative, empathetic leaders for higher education.

The episode dives into five key strategies MSU employed to maintain momentum: embedding a “learn, thrive, graduate” vision in campus culture, focusing on incremental action through strategic doing, fostering collaborative change, co-designing with students, and empowering UIA fellows as strategic leaders. Amy and Renata’s firsthand accounts offer practical insights and inspiration for institutions navigating turnover and complexity while prioritizing student outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

• Process mapping reveals systemic flaws, enabling effective student success interventions.

• Embedding a clear vision, like “learn, thrive, graduate,” anchors progress amid leadership changes.

• Strategic doing and collaborative frameworks drive consistent, incremental advancements.

• Co-designing with students ensures solutions address real barriers.

• Empowering fellows as strategic leaders fosters innovation and sustains momentum.

“You can’t bring a good solution into a toxic system. You need to actually see the system for how it is and not how you fantasize it to be.” – Bridget Burns

Learn more about the UIA by visiting:

Website

LinkedIn

Twitter

YouTube

Facebook

This week's episode is sponsored by Mainstay, a student retention and engagement tool where you can increase student and staff engagement with the only platform consistently proven to boost engagement, retention, and well-being. To learn more about Mainstay, click here.