Students earn Innovation Engineer Blue Belt credential

Twenty-seven Pennsylvania College of Technology students received Innovation Engineering Blue Belt certification following their successful completion of all modules within the Principles of Innovation course at the college.

The course teaches the fundamentals of innovation, emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving and stimuli for effective innovation.

“The class helps you to think more broadly and helps you get closer to the consumer,” said Nolan M. Hickok, an industrial design student from Troy.

“I think it helps you push the boundaries of your mind and what you can create,” added Harrison Wohlfarth, a concrete science technology and applied technology studies student from Midlothian, Virginia, citing rapid research and other techniques that “help you to think about what you can add to an idea and combine ideas that you might not otherwise think to combine.”



Principles of Innovation is one of three classes that together lead to a competency credential in innovation leadership. Throughout the coursework, students learn tangible skills to transform innovation from a random and risky event into a reliable system.

Those who complete all components of the final course in the series, Advanced Innovation II, are eligible for the Innovation Engineering Black Belt.

Penn College’s innovation coursework capitalizes on a partnership with Eureka! Ranch, founded by former Procter & Gamble master marketing inventor Doug Hall to develop reliable methods for increasing innovation speed and decreasing risk. Hall’s system was developed based on the “continuous improvement” principles of W. Edwards Deming, who is credited with helping to rebuild Japan’s economy after World War II.

The Innovation Engineering Blue Belt and Black Belt certifications are issued by Eureka! Ranch and are recognized throughout industry. The skills they represent are applicable to any field.

Those earning the Innovation Engineering Blue Belt in the Fall 2019, Spring 2020 and Fall 2020 semesters, and their majors, are Benjamin O. Bauman, of Moscow, welding and fabrication engineering technology; Kyle Benton, of Potomac, Md., industrial design; Brett R. Bowersox, of Sunbury, business administration: sport and event management concentration; Michael J. Cardamone, of Ambler, welding and fabrication engineering technology; Emily K. Fessler, of Williamsport, business administration: banking and finance concentration and management concentration; Will S. Finkler, of Williamsport, business administration: management concentration; Estee R. Fritz, of Williamsport, business administration: management concentration; Dorothy J. Gerring, of Montoursville, applied innovation leadership (and associate professor of architectural technology); Autumn M. Greenaway, of South Williamsport, business administration: banking and finance concentration; Andrew J. Goth, of Emmaus, industrial design; Nolan M. Hickok, of Troy, industrial design; Tyler C. James, of Effort, industrial design; Christine T. Kight, of Williamsport, applied innovation leadership; Dale D. Kinch, of Franklin, business administration: sport and event management; Steve Kopera, of Winfield, non-degree student (and instructor of welding); John O. Larson, building automation technology, of Wellsboro; Kassidi D. Lenhart, of Muncy, business administration: sport and event management; Thomas C. Mahoney, of Williamsport, applied technology studies;  Devin P. Marty, of Williamsport, individual studies; Donovan Mehaffie, of York, business administration: management concentration; Christina T. Moccia, of Trout Run, business administration: banking and finance concentration; Brooke A. Muthler, of Lock Haven, business administration: management concentration; Jordan M. Pizzuto, of Milton, business administration: management concentration; Daniel R. Rodgers, of Gilbertsville, business administration: sport and event management; Trey L. White, of Jersey Shore, applied technology studies; Sophia G. Wiest, of Butler, entrepreneurial innovation; and Harrison Wohlfarth, of Midlothian, Va., concrete science technology and applied technology studies.

To learn more about innovation leadership at Penn College, call 570-327-4505 or visit the School of Business, Arts & Sciences.

For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.