Carbondale Reporter

Two Southern Illinois University (SIU) at Carbondale students have been chosen as University Innovation Fellows (UIF) and will participate in a special entrepreneurship program.

Mary McGee, an English literature and psychology major, and Robert Caswelch, an industrial design major, will attend the University Innovation Fellows Silicon Valley Meetup in March.

Both students have already participated in six weeks of online training as part of the program. They will also participate in various special experiences at Google and Stanford University’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design.

“Mary, Robert and the other SIU University Innovation Fellows exemplify the problem-solving skills and innovative solution implementation of so many Salukis,” Lynn Lindberg, managing director at SIU’s Center for Innovation, said. “As each fellow works on his or her project, they have the opportunity to not only have an impact on a campus or regional challenge, but also to interact with so many other students, faculty, staff and community members who have similar interests, thus being able to immediately put their training to use in real-world situations.”

McGee and Caswelch are among 169 students from four countries named as UIF. As fellows, selected individuals will work with faculty and other students to research and create solutions to real-world problems.

Both students name social change as a top priority. They intend to create a social justice training program on campus to increase understanding as well as to eradicate prejudice and oppression -- all while helping to address homelessness.

More information about the University Innovation Fellows program is available online.