Marshall University iCenter names four new Innovation Catalysts to support strategic growth

Marshall University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (iCenter) has selected four faculty members for its third cohort of Innovation Catalysts, a pioneering initiative designed to train members of the higher education community in design thinking. This problem-solving methodology emphasizes human-centered, creative approaches to addressing complex challenges.

The newly appointed Innovation Catalysts are:

Carol Smith – professor and coordinator of the Violence, Loss, and Trauma (VOLT) Certificate, Counseling Department
Casey Baker – department chair and associate professor, Accountancy & Legal Environment
John Sammons – associate director, Marshall University Institute for Cyber Security
Sarah Walton – assistant professor and director of Digital Humanities, English Department

Inspired by a similar initiative at financial technology company Intuit, the Innovation Catalyst program aligns with Marshall for All, Marshall Forever, the university’s strategic plan. It supports key priorities including student success, affordability and institutional agility in meeting evolving student needs.

Each Catalyst in the spring 2025 cohort focused on a project aligned with their area of expertise, including graduate education, undergraduate student – faculty mentoring, cybersecurity education and digital humanities. Participants completed an intensive, semester-long training in design thinking, led by Maddy Branham, interim assistant director of the iCenter. In addition to learning new tools and techniques, they also applied their skills to lead design thinking projects within their own departments.

The cohort was formally recognized for each member’s achievements at a reception held April 29 at the Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation.