Math faculty Dr. Stapleton earns Innovation Fellowship to redesign student learning experience

Dr. Laura Stapleton, assistant professor of mathematics at Marshall University, has been selected as an inaugural recipient of the university’s Innovation Fellowship. The fellowship supports faculty projects that strengthen student success, advance innovation, and create regional impact.

Stapleton’s project will redesign the Innovation Explorer microcredential to create a more engaging, student-centered learning experience. The redesign will incorporate Design for Delight (D4D) principles through AI-driven empathy, interactive media, and strategic use of digital tools. It will also feature authentic Marshall storytelling, including appearances by President Brad D. Smith and Marco.

The Innovation Fellowship, administered through the iCenter, provides funding and support to help faculty and staff move high-impact ideas into practice. Stapleton’s work aims to enhance how students engage with innovation and design thinking, while expanding opportunities for meaningful, applied learning experiences.

Her selection highlights the role of mathematics faculty in shaping interdisciplinary initiatives that connect technical skills with creativity, problem-solving, and real-world impact.