GradNEXT Pitch Competition

GradNEXT is a competition similar to Shark Tank where students, faculty, and staff pitch their ideas to the Dean of the Graduate College and alumni.

Students, faculty, and staff were invited to think differently and propose a way to re-envision graduate education at UC, what might a dissertation, course work, degree program, or overall student success look like in the next 5-10 years? Ten teams submitted intriguing pitches. The prelim judges faced a tough decision to select the teams for today’s competition. Today’s pitches seek to shake up the graduate program structure, revolutionize curriculum, and meet student needs now to better prepare them for what’s next.

The top-ranking idea will receive funding support for their proposed idea. We hope today’s pitches inspire you to look at graduate education through a questioning and innovative lens. Make your vote and consider what idea you would like to bring to next year’s competition!

Tuesday, March 25 at 10 a.m. | 400 Tangeman University Center (TUC) 
Register for Pitch Competition

Sai Rohith Vennu, Master of Science in Information Technology Student

College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, with the School of Information Technology (CECH)

Erin Alcorn, PhD Student, Music Performance, Voice

D’Arcy Smith, Director of Digital Performance Lab and Faculty, Acting and Voice

College-Conservatory of Music (CCM)

Sharath Chandra Odepalli, Master of Science in Information Technology Student

Yashwanth Gullapalli, Master of Science in Information Technology Student

College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, with the School of Information Technology (CECH)

Ejiro Agoba, Logistics Specialist at Cintas, Master of Engineering in Industrial and Systems Engineering Student

College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS)

Finalist Judges

• Jonathon Kregor, PhD, Professor of Musicology and Head of the Division of Composition, Musicology, and Theory at the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM)
• Keisha Love, PhD, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
• Colleen Murphy, Director of Regulatory and Clinical Affairs at Kaleidoscope Innovation and Product Design
• Rose Marie Ward, PhD, Dean of the Graduate College and Vice Provost of Graduate Education
• Tracie Williams, Business Administrator at the College of Medicine in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine

Preliminary Judges

• Omotayo Banjo, PhD Graduate College Associate Dean for Academic Innovation & Student Success
• Megan Carroll, Graduate College Program Director
• Christian Garcia, PhD, Graduate College Postdoctoral Research Fellow
• Caylor Jarvis, Master of Arts in Communication, College of Arts and Sciences
• Kelly Taylor Osborne, Master of Community Planning Student, College of Design Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP)
• Chidera Nwosu, Graduate College Research Assistant

Partners

• Jason Heikenfeld, College of Engineering and Applied Science
• Christopher Sutter, Carl H. Lindner College of Business