The Year of Creativity and Innovation Video 2015. The spirit of creativity and innovation has been a part of the Miami DNA for a very long time, and it is more important than ever as highlighted in the Miami 2020 Strategic Plan. We see creativity and innovation in our approach to teaching and learning, we see it in the research and scholarship of our faculty and students, we see it highlighted in specific courses and programs, and we see it in our everyday operations (see especially Foundation Goal 1). Yet there is so much more we can do to enhance our ability to stimulate creativity and innovation and to make creativity and innovation a signature quality of Miami University. The key is to create more opportunities to link and highlight our many efforts, to encourage collaborations, and to raise our expectations and capabilities.

President Hodge’s Charge to the Steering Committee “Few qualities are more important to individuals and institutions than creativity, imagination, and innovation. A recent survey of employers, for example, found that creativity was the most highly valued quality in prospective employees. In a world of profound and rapid change, those people and institutions that are most creative and innovative will be best equipped to seize new opportunities and will produce the largest impacts.

For a version of this video with audio-description and closed captioning, click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXiGIiAePHs

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It is in this spirit that we are designating the next academic year, 2015-16. as a university-wide “Year of Creativity and Innovation” – building on what we did with the “Year of the Arts.” I ask that you do everything possible to stimulate participation and to envision the long-term impact of the year – use your creativity to help make Miami more creative and innovative….The sooner we get everyone thinking of how they can align with this effort, the more meaningful and long-lasting the impact will be. The key will be to encourage many diverse opportunities that add to and integrate our efforts across the entire university and among our alumni. I have no doubt that with your participation, this will be a year of great energy and excitement.”

After you’ve watched an innovation video what can you do next? How can you apply what you’ve learned or been inspired to do…and keep learning and being inspired? You can watch more videos or read more on the topic but consider this. We learn most through reflective action, through applying the knowledge we’ve gained, through experiencing and making it real for use. What can you do or take action on?

This Innovation Videos website is a resources to help you stay fresh, on the cutting edge, and up to date with your own learning and personal and professional development. The ability and skill to innovate is becoming more important than ever due to the rapid pace of change in our world. You may not have had a class on “innovation” in school or at your work so it is up to you to gain the knowledge, attitude, mindset, and skill that will allow you to adapt and respond to change with innovation. A first step is to read or watch videos on this site to get inspired and learn ways you can be more innovative. Then, take what you are learning and apply it to your own life and work. Take on an innovative project to create and develop something new that can have an impact, something you may not have ever done before. Perhaps you will get an idea from an innovation video on our site.

After learning on your own look to be a part of a leadership program, workshop, course, or seminar. Join a group or even create a startup with some partners. Involve other people in learning and doing innovation with you. Keep reading and keep listening because there is always opportunity to learn new methods since new technologies are being introduced all the time. When you are just working on your computer, have a video playing to listen and learn. See if you can watch (or at least listen to) a different innovation video everyday to keep developing your knowledge base and leadership skills. But remember…you will need to do something. Take action!