'Fully engaged' employees complete Innovation Leadership Academy

Twenty-one Penn College employees received Blue Belts in Innovation Engineering, an industry-recognized certification from the Innovation Engineering Institute, during a Dec. 14 ceremony.

The 21 employees were part of a group of 29 who were accepted to complete a 15-week Innovation Leadership Academy that began Aug. 22. Chip D. Baumgardner, associate professor of business administration management, taught the hybrid program, which included online assignments and two in-person sessions. Application was open to all full-time employees.

“Innovation and creativity is essential for our long-term success,” said Michael J. Reed, college president. “I’m grateful for Dr. Baumgardner’s willingness to share his expertise in building innovative systems, and for our faculty and staff who have fully engaged and completed the series. I am excited to see our collective learning be put into action.”

The academy is set to run for a second time in Spring 2023 with a full list of participants, plus a waiting list of employee applicants.

The Innovation Engineering Institute, part of Eureka! Ranch, awards both a Blue Belt and Black Belt in Innovation Engineering.

In addition to the Innovation Leadership Academy for employees, Penn College offers a three-course competency credential in innovation leadership, which can lead to a Black Belt in Innovation Engineering.

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  principle of continuous improvement.

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

Employees earning the Innovation Engineering Blue Belt in Fall 2022:

Andrea M. Campbell, instructor of English composition and technical communication
John F. Chappo, assistant professor of history/history of technology
Kathy D. Chesmel, assistant dean of materials science and engineering technology
Benjamin H. Clark, assistant facilities maintenance manager
Jen M. Cullin-Hetrick, associate director of admissions
David J. Fedor, assistant professor of civil engineering technology
Rebecca A. Freezer, MIDAS and operations coordinator
Thomas W. Fry, industrial training specialist
Chris D. Gramling, industrial training specialist
Naim N. Jabbour, assistant professor of architecture
Eric G. Kurtz, senior enterprise systems engineer
Michelle M. Misquitta, custodian
Eric W. Nagy, instructor of English composition and technical communication
Jeff M. Perkinson, enterprise applications programmer/analyst
Joni J. Pyle, associate professor nursing
Crystal J. Rice, library operations/public services coordinator
Tammy M. Rich, associate professor of business administration/management/event management
Heather M. Shuey, senior director of employee success
Elizabeth P. Waugh, librarian for virtual and distance learning
Jon D. Wescott, director of residence life and student conduct
Brenda A. Wiegand, associate director of academic operations