MEITE 10th Anniversary Yearbook

10 MEITE YEARS

Celebrating 10 Years of the M.A. in Educational Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship Program

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Greetings Tar Heels,

I’m thrilled to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Master of Arts in Educational Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship at the UNC School of Education. MEITE is a one-of-a-kind program — one that blends rigorous coursework with real-world experiences to prepare leaders who will shape the future of educational innovation.

This yearbook reflects a decade of ideas turned into impact, where students have imagined, built, and refined solutions that make learning stronger in schools, universities, nonprofits, and industry. Their creativity, persistence, and care shine through on every page.

It takes a great deal of time and energy to understand the needs of learners and educators, analyze the marketplace, explore solutions, and leverage cutting-edge technologies — all while adapting to changing landscapes. MEITE students do this every day, turning their personal passions and bold ideas into products and strategies that make a measurable impact. I’m inspired not only by the work they create but by the supportive, collaborative community they build with and for one another.

This program exists because of the dedication of our faculty and partners. They teach the latest technologies while instilling the critical mindset needed to use them responsibly — always asking whether innovation truly adds value for learners and organizations. Their mentorship and scholarship model curiosity, collaboration, and leadership, ensuring MEITE graduates leave prepared to navigate complexity and drive meaningful change.

As we celebrate this milestone, I look to the future with excitement. The next decade of MEITE will be about bold ideas, deeper partnerships, and innovations that matter — connecting emerging technologies with education in ways that truly serve learners. The work started here is only the beginning, and I’m confident its impact will continue to grow, shaping how we teach, learn, and lead for years to come.

Jill V. Hamm Dean

William C. Friday Distinguished Professor of Education

To Cherner h MEITE Program Director

essage r t e r gra ire t r

Serving as Director of the Master of Arts in Educational Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship program over the past several years has been an incredible experience. When I oined MEITE in 01 , it was a small but ambitious program, and I was charged with helping shape its direction and expand its impact. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, I m proud of how the program continuously evolves to provide new, exciting opportunities for our students and to provide a range of organizations with our exceptional graduates.

A ma or milestone in MEITE s development was the introduction of formal concentrations in the 01 0 academic year. y establishing a shared set of core courses alongside four distinct pathways — Edupreneur, Innovative Specialist, earning Engineer, and Adaptive earning Analyst — we created a model that enables our students to build a strong foundation while tailoring their interests and expertise. This structure has positioned MEITE as a truly one-of-a-kind program in the field of educational innovation.

ur work with industry partners has also become a defining aspect of the MEITE experience. Ever semester, students engage in impactful, real-world pro ects that span local, national, and global contexts — from evaluating courses for Hill earning Center in Durham and building a makerspace for the onald McDonald House of Chapel Hill, to designing professional development courses for MetaMetrics. More recently, our students have developed gameified financial literacy experiences for Intuit and created M evaluation scorecards for the Mark Cuban Foundation.

Finally, one of my favorite highlights of the program is our Innovation Showcase. Held each July, it serves as a culminating moment when students present their final pro ects through pitches, presentations, and panels. The event brings together the UNC-Chapel Hill community, industry partners, families, and friends to celebrate our students’ creativity, skill, and readiness to take their next professional steps.

As we look to the future, I m excited by the momentum this program has built and the opportunities still ahead. Here’s to our students, faculty, and partners for the next 10 years of MEITE

NEXT IN EDUCATION DESIGN WHAT COMES

I had been living and working in ermany before I oined the MEITE program, and I had ust arrived in North Carolina the night before orientation. After a long flight from ermany with two layovers I barely remember I was completely etlagged, so instead of trying to sleep, I decided to walk the campus before sunrise. As I wandered through the stillness of UNC, the sun slowly came up, and the cicadas began to chirp in rolling waves that felt like they were washing over the trees and grass. It felt a bit surreal.

Not long after, I met a group of fellow MEITE students. Every one of them was from a completely di erent field, with their own profound experiences, skills, and stories. That was the moment I knew this was going to be great. Working together with a diverse group of people who approached challenges from completely di erent angles and do it all in a beautiful place that already felt welcoming and alive.

It took me weeks to get over that etlag, but I’ve never gotten over that feeling that I made the perfect choice by oining the MEITE program. I’m still close friends with the people I met that very first day, and we continue to support each other both professionally and personally. T at rst s nrise n a s as re t an st a assing ent it as t e eginning a le ne a ter

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O EA NING SHA E THE UTU E

The aster of rts in ational nnovation Te hnolo y an ntreprene rship program prepares students to leverage the latest technologies, educational research, and design thinking to shape the future of education across a range of professional settings. Through rigorous coursework and immersive internship experiences, MEITE graduates leave Chapel Hill ready to produce, implement, and analyze high-impact educational innovations that serve the social good — across sectors, industries, and evolving learning environments.

• MEITE is a credit hour program that can be completed in one year of full time study or over t o to three years of part time study.

• uild s ills in design thin ing, edtech, and entrepreneurship

• Customi e your degree by choosing from four concentrations

• Connect rigorous course or ith internships at leading organi ations

• E perience cutting edge technologies integrated into your learning

• earn from faculty ho are recogni ed as e perts in the eld

• Alumni lead in a ide range of environments, including edtech startups, innovation labs, business accelerators, mar eting rms, and more.

SOCIA GOOD

r gra Gra ates

n str r e ts lete 19

ent res a n e

OA D O AD ISO S

essi a ara

Head of lobal Community, enovo

It s been an honor to serve on the MEITE A for the past several years and contribute to the program s purpose, structure, and mission. At the MEITE Showcase this past summer, I found myself reflecting on how beautifully the program has evolved alongside a rapidly changing EdTech landscape and how proud I am of every MEITE graduate. I often share with new colleagues how our alumni blend ingenuity with technology for good.

ell Hines

VP, Chief of Sta , Discovery Education

As graduate of the UNC School of Education .A.Ed. , veteran educator, and leader in the education technology sector, I m proud of and excited by the work of the MEITE program to positively impact teaching and learning globally through creativity and innovation.

e line

Software Developer, SAS Institute

As an alum of the UNC School of Education M.A. 01 , it is an honor to be able to give back to the place that gave me such a great base to build from early in my career. I find great oy seeing the curiosity, creativity, and innovation that MEITE students produce year after year. Todd and the MEITE leadership are a pleasure to work with — always receptive to feedback and new ideas as they continue to think outside of the box and push the program forward. Having a seat at the table with so many great thinkers and contributors to the education community makes serving on this board such an invaluable and rewarding experience.

While serving on the oard of Advisors I’ve seen the program’s impact from several angles — as a teacher, an instructional designer, a startup employee, and someone trained in the learning sciences. What stands out most is the breadth of preparation MEITE o ers — social and cognitive perspectives on learning, design thinking and empathy-driven methods, exposure to emerging AI tools, and an understanding of how strong educational ideas connect to sustainable business models. In a field where it’s easy for organizations to prioritize outputs over learners needs, MEITE e uips graduates to advocate for users and create tools that truly support meaningful learning. as Instructional Design ead, ize Education

elanie Hat e ins n

Special Curator and Pro ect Manager, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

It has been an honor and privilege to be connected with the MEITE program since its inception and to serve on its oard of Advisors. ver the years, I ve had the opportunity to collaborate closely with Todd, an extraordinary network of talented and deeply committed academic and industry leaders, and especially the graduate students themselves. As a museum curator and designer of interactive learning environments, I see firsthand how critical it is that we are preparing today s learners and future educators, innovators and entrepreneurs of all ages with the necessary skills, curiosity and expertise to not only embrace emerging technologies but lead and thrive in tomorrow s workforce.

listar an ere

Co-founder, Phi Fen i esearch Professor, UNC-Chapel Hill

It has been a privilege to serve on the MEITE oard of Advisors since its inception and to witness the program’s impressive growth and evolution. During my eight years at MetaMetrics Inc., an ed-tech company based in the esearch Triangle, we have consistently benefited from the skills and creativity of MEITE interns. MEITE is a uni uely valuable program—one that bridges education, innovation, and industry in a way few others do, and I remain deeply committed to supporting its continued success.

it

ell a a

Vice President, Edu ab, National

eographic Society

I believe that education to be one of our most crucial sectors and practices, absolutely foundational for the success of our communities and societies. It is also one of the areas that is most in need of disruption, and a greater ability to innovate and adapt as the world around us accelerates in change. When my older sister, a classroom educator with a strong innovative streak, was ready for a career change in her 0s, it was a moment I d been waiting for. ou know, there s a program at UNC that I think you should check out... Within a year she was a proud member of the latest MEITE cohort, with colleagues and faculty to nurture her curiosity and ideas, and multiple new career paths emerging in front of her.

Note: o en on ea re on o r a n a a e a o er e on e oar o or

OG AM ACU T

innard White Faculty Scholar in Education

EDUC earning Analytics

EDUC Personalized and Adaptive earning

EDUC earning and Development

In each class, it s always exciting to see students spend the early weeks learning about learning theories and exploring how designs grounded in those theories can support the learners they hope to reach through their innovations—then witnessing that Aha moment in real time during workshops, as they figure out how to put those theories into practice in the pro ects they create and share by semester’s end.

T erner

Program Director, MEITE

Clinical Associate Professor

EDUC Seminar I

EDUC Seminar II

EDUC 01 The MEITE Internship

The beauty of the MEITE program is the diverse interests of our students I ve learned so much about a range of topics — international education, supporting STEM instructors, teaching sheet music, building makerspaces — that it keeps me fresh Watching our students walk across the stage and brings me such oy for them, the ourney they are on, and those supporting them through the process. Words cannot express those moments in time.

e re Greene

Associate Dean for esearch and Faculty Development

McMichael Professor

Co rses Ta ht

• EDUC Teaching and earning in Digital Contexts

• EDUC earning and Development

It was really fun to be teaching about Instructional Strategies for Teaching and earning in Digital Contexts while teaching a hyflex course and implementing those strategies

Ha g en

Assistant Professor

Co rses Ta ht

EDUC 0 enerative AI for earning and Innovation

Students are very creative and solution-oriented. In all the classes that I have taught, students have leveraged class pro ects to thoughtfully address pressing education problems that they have observed in their own experiences or internships, for example, to increase meaningful parent-child learning interactions, generate better feedback to learners and instructors, and provide a more welcoming environment for new students transitioning to college. Many of these solutions have been developed and applied in real-world contexts beyond the scope of the class pro ects .

Morgan Distinguished Professor of Educational Innovations

EDUC 1 Introduction to the earning Sciences

I en oy learning about the students backgrounds and expertise from their careers and undergraduate programs. We have a huge variety and it all comes together

ari a a aria

Clinical Assistant Professor

EDUC 0 U esearch in EdTech

EDUC Teaching and earning in Digital Context

ne of my favorite memories from teaching in the MEITE program was seeing students final pro ects come together. It was incredibly rewarding to witness how their work not only showcased their creativity and dedication but also clearly connected to their future career plans. Watching their ideas evolve into something meaningful and impactful was a highlight of the experience.

n t r ess rs

tt ens n

From my own experience as a graduate student, nothing made innovation and entrepreneurship click uite like a good case discussion. When I was designing the curriculum for the usiness of Education course in MEITE, I wanted to bring that dynamic into my classes. My favorite moments were when the classroom discussion got lively as students genuinely wrestled with tough decisions and high-stakes scenarios that education entrepreneurs face.

Helping students align their ideas and vision into a product or educational solution to improve higher education and the world of work. n arns a

POSSIBILITY A OG AM UI T ON

WHE E A E THE NOW A UMNI

Organizations

ooz Allen

Instructure

Edpuzzle

aplan

randEd

I earning

Pro ect itty Hawk

Coda

Princess House

iverside Insights

I VIA

Johnson Johnson

Pareto

MetaMetrics

Imagine earning Association of Children s Museums

SECU Startups asseter’s abs

Mighty Curious ames

Slope eadership

SongCraft

InstructStem

Code the Dream

Algorhythmic abs

Universities

UNC-Chapel Hill

Duke University

North Carolina State University

University of Chicago

eorgetown University

UNC Wilmington

Truman State University

Eastern Washington University

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

MIT Scheller Teacher Education Program

OG AM STO IES

ere ser i e eets inn ati n

MEITE student mari Tait combines his e perience in the orth Carolina Army ational uard, commitment to education and leadership, and application of technology to create innovative solutions that e pand college and career access for students.

sing learning an nit t a an e T e ati n

Megan yers, a mechanical engineer turned educational technologist, never imagined her passion for teaching ould lead her to develop Instruct TEM an online professional development program and community of practice designed to e uip TEM educators ith evidence based pedagogical strategies.

reating e nential i a t

MEITE students collaborate ith MetaMetrics, a urham based company that develops scienti c measures of academic achievement and complementary technologies to lin assessment results ith instruction, to develop uantile Certi cation Course for teachers. ead these MEITE stories and more like them at ed.unc.edu/news

INNOVATORS A COMMUNIT O

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MEMORIES MEITE

ne of the most meaningful experiences I had was managing the program’s social media presence. I worked directly with Dr. Cherner to develop and share

MEITE was a life changer. I use lessons learned in so many aspects of my life.C VID was an unwelcome addition towards the end - but what better program than MEITE to instantly adapt to online education a tiglit

uilding a makerspace at the onald McDonald House gave me hands-on experience across multiple areas, helping me grow in ways I didn’t expect. I worked closely with the finance committee, which taught me how to manage a pro ect budget and make strategic

I will definitely always remember teaching - music all day, driving to a campus I love and presenting my first interactive learning module, then literally running across the road to pitch my venture in a competition for 1 k. It was my birthday, and I won.

a an sa

MEITE was the first time I truly saw how entrepreneurial thinking could drive systemic change in education, and that realization has stayed with me ever since. ,, aniel in ins

efore Dr. ernacki’s class I knew absolutely nothing about learning analytics. I d read all the materials, but on the first day I was lost — and it kept getting worse. The class met every Tuesday, and every Tuesday, my heart would skip a few beats. ut what got me through was my determination to learn and support from the MEITE community. Shout out to my classmates, especially Emily and Alisha. Emily, who had an engineering background, would patiently break things down for me like I was nine. With such support, that course shifted from my most dreaded to one of my favorites. I ended up passing with a solid grade — and more importantly, a deeper confidence in my ability to learn hard things and ask hard uestions. In the MEITE program, no matter your background, like iverpool says

me to grow as an individual and challenged the way I would go about problem solving.

Gra e illar

Sam Cullum and I were paired up to test V glasses, using software to build our own landscape with endless boundaries. We were laughing hysterically because when wearing the glasses the reality of your own world is so vivid, yet because the other person can t see what you re seeing, you simply look ridiculous. At one point Sam was fully on the floor making brushstrokes upward. I had no idea what she was doing, ust that her actions were so funny without any context

rist lare

My favorite memory is making friends after a period of isolation caused by C VID. It was a special opportunity to grow and learn in-person after a phenomenon like a national lockeown.

le an er nte

A key memory for me was working alongside talented, generous, kind and innovative classmates who I could trust to provide me with pro ect feedback which helped me grow and refine my skills. I m still close friends with these amazing people today

Participating in CU E with my colleagues Jason and Sam was a great experience and opened my eyes to the many resources available at the universities. verall the best experience was learning from my peers, from their experiences and knowledge.

le H e

Dr. Cherner’s courses introduced me to a wide range of technology platforms — something I’m deeply passionate about. Dr. ernacki s earning Analytics course gave me valuable insights into analyzing data, which has become one of my core ob responsibilities. I’m also especially grateful for my internship, which had a personal impact on me. It deepened my understanding of how vital STEM interventions are in early education.

in an i

I m really grateful to have found a community of friends. Shout out evin, Cole, Jetta, uby, Patricia, and Pepe

a r e

I still remember one of the first things Dr. Cherner told me when we first met ne year is gonna be so fast. To be very honest, I did not believe these words. I knew it would be fast but never could I imagine it could be that fast. It wasn t until after the first week that I realised how exciting my next year would be and how much it would impact my career path. In other words, Dr. Cherner was right.

e T n a

ne of my key memories as a MEITE student is from Dr. ernacki s Personalized and Adaptive earning course. The core of the semester revolved around a significant pro ect developing an original idea for a personalized learning experience and meticulously demonstrating its potential for positive student outcomes, all informed by specific educational theories. This wasn t ust an academic exercise it was a genuine challenge to bridge abstract theory with concrete application, pushing me to think critically about instructional design in new ways. What made this memory so potent was the dynamic, iterative feedback loop Dr. ernacki cultivated. eceiving regular, precise criti ues allowed me to refine my thinking and design, truly feeling my capabilities expand with each revision. The culmination—presenting a pro ect that felt so robust and evidenced-based—was incredibly rewarding, and it remains a foundational piece of my ongoing work.

etta ee egan ers

My favorite class was earning Analytics with Matt ernacki For my final pro ect, I built a paint by numbers game in oogle Sheets for students to practice multiplying by . It took student inputs, gave them feedback on any errors made, and allowed a teacher to see what concepts students may be struggling with. I was able to take what I learned and apply it to my MEITE final pro ect, creating a fully adaptive course to teach multiplication facts through 1

It meant a lot to me to finish my thesis and demonstrate my work to peers and professionals at the Innovation Showcase. I formed really awesome connections over that pro ect, and getting to see the curiosity and awe in people s eyes over the thing I had made was the perfect bow to tie up an already amazing experience. In general, I think you could tell that all the students brought their A game. Having heard about most of them throughout the year was one thing it was another to see ust how far they d come in a year s worth of trial and error, fatigue and frustration, and, of course, inspiration and success. A monumental occassion all around, spent with friends, peers, potential future colleagues, alumni, and of course our supportive faculty and advisor, Dr. Cherner. I don t think I ll forget it as long as I live, and I am so grateful to have experienced it.

ate re i

ne of my strongest memories from MEITE is the mix of thrill, stress, and exhilaration I felt while working on my summer thesis pro ect. I can still remember the late nights hunched over my laptop, toggling between research tabs and design files, trying to pull everything together in a way that made sense. It was exhausting—but it was also energizing in a way that few things had been before. I was building something that felt both deeply personal and professionally aligned. Every challenge pushed me to stretch my skillset—to think more critically, to design more creatively, and to connect theory with real-world purpose. I wasn’t ust completing an assignment I was shaping an idea that reflected the kind of work I wanted to do next. I knew I was heading somewhere new and more meaningful. The MEITE experience didn’t ust give me the tools to create, it helped me find the direction I wanted to create toward.

else an e

ne of my favorite memories was helping plan the Innovation Showcase. It was such an energizing experience to see our ideas come to life and to get an inside look at how conferences are developed from coordinating logistics to collaborating with stakeholders, faculty, students, and community members. Another highlight was working with Dr. Cherner to develop the enerative AI Training Modules website. I was able to apply my learning engineering skills from MEITE and my internship experience with the Faculty Consulting roup to design meaningful, research-informed modules that helped faculty explore AI in education. A special shoutout to the Class of 0 . This was an incredible cohort to learn alongside. ur diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas came together in such meaningful ways, creating an environment that was as collaborative as it was inspiring. The sense of community and shared curiosity made the year, and MEITE, unforgettable. MEITE shaped the way I think about learning and innovation. The program helped me connect my passion for education with new tools, technologies, and possibilities beyond the classroom.

lia T s n lis a e lett T s n

Many of us as learning engineers would meet regularly to discuss ideas and o er feedback while working on our final pro ects. While we were all working on vastly di erent pro ects, I remember the collaborative spirit of those meetings and how they epitomized the MEITE experience for me — people from di erent career and educational backgrounds seeking to improve the educational landscape for diverse groups of people.

A key memory is my internship with the City of aleigh ce of Strategy and Innovation. The opportunity to apply design thinking principles in a real-world public sector setting was transformative. In city workshops, key strategic plan focus area groups empathized with their community, defined problems, and ideated solutions. I saw firsthand the genuine care and dedication city employees had for addressing complex challenges and making a positive impact on their community. This experience launched my passion for design thinking and inspired me to pursue a Certificate in Innovation for the Public ood during my time at UNC. This emphasis on empathy also led me to adopt a learner-centric approach in my work as an instructional technologist, prioritizing the uni ue needs and experiences of each learner to create more meaningful and e ective educational experiences.

atie er

ne key memory as a MEITE student was implementing the Design Thinking Process to create a product or service. It became one of the most meaningful and transformative experiences of my studies. Ultimately, seeing the final product take shape as a solution that addressed real needs was both rewarding and inspiring. The pro ect demonstrated the power of structured innovation, while reinforcing my confidence in applying design thinking as a tool for creating meaningful impact.

ete n arna i n

I started the MEITE program as a part-time student in the fall of 0 1, at months pregnant and working full-time. I was unsure of what to expect or how I would navigate the new demands of graduate school and motherhood. et, what I found was exactly what I needed a built-in support system with those whose uni ue perspectives and educational experiences contributed to my own personal and professional growth. I am truly grateful to the MEITE program for its focus on community-building and a true cohort-model. The friendships, professional network, and new perspectives I gained while in the program were life-changing.

ane aniel

I remember taking my first PhD-level class during MEITE in the fall of 0 1. I was excited, but also completely overwhelmed. Imposter syndrome settled in fast, and I seriously considered backing out. I kept wondering if I belonged, if I was smart enough, if I was ready. I was lucky to have amazing people by my side. Dr. ora Cohen-Vogel, created a space where I felt supported and inspired. And my advisor, Dr. Todd Cherner, encouraged me every step of the way. Their belief in me made such a di erence. Today, I’m proud to say I’m the first woman in my family to be in a PhD program. I carry so much gratitude for the ourney, the people who guided me, and the strength I didn’t know I had. And now, more than anything, I hope to inspire others ust like me to keep going. ecause the first step might feel hard, but what’s waiting on the other side is worth it.

school, with a full venture plan to actually make it happen. I then saw a comment that said something to the e ect of, It s ready to submit for real I used that same thinking and design to help get a real charter school enrolled and running a few years later.

ar in s in a ei a rge ra illa as ine ns n

Presenting our venture, Survive Mars, at Startup UNC. It was such a great experience for us MEITE students to collaborate and put our ideas to the test in front of inceredible professors and entrepreneurs.

A key memory I have from MEITE was speaking at the School of Education s scholarship brunch. I remember being seated at a table with the dean of the School and the CE of the company where I was interning. That day, I was able to reflect on all the work I had accomplished in the program in such a short amount of time and on all the opportunities that UNC had o ered me. As a former classroom teacher, I was so grateful in that moment for how much MEITE believed in me and set me up with professional and educational opportunities to achieve my goals.

ri a Harre el

A group pro ect I completed with my classmates and close friends eeva, Alicia, and Shi i stands out. We developed A scenarios that allowed international students to practice oral English and common American classroom situations.

ianing iang

ne of my favorite memories from MEITE was our seminar course with Dr. Cherner. I thought it was so cool that we got to design a makerspace and hear di erent pitches for the thesis pro ects.

a G l in

Some of my favorite memories from MEITE are some of the group pro ects we did, whether it was trying to figure out how to make MetaMetric s training response to the situated needs of teachers and administrators or making a prototype of a webpage to help support history instructors integrate current events into their classroom, I remember the passion and creativity that my classmates brought to these challenges.

i ael err

I had read about others experiences, and one uote really resonated with me ou will never know how much you are capable of accomplishing in this course of study. I m not sure who said it, but they were absolutely right

rian arrett

eing part of MEITE during the pandemic was strange in the best possible way. ur professor, Dr. eith Sawyer, often said creativity isn’t a straight line it’s a zig-zagging, improvisational path. That captured MEITE perfectly. We adapted and improvised as the world outside our screens kept shifting. In the process, we built something rare — a community of people who kept showing up, glitchy Wi-Fi and all. We showed up for one another to brainstorm, listen, and learn. It reminded me that connection isn’t about proximity but about shared curiosity and compassion. That experience shapes how I lead today - with empathy, understanding, and patience. It taught me to listen first, avoid assumptions, and look for root causes before o ering solutions. Those late nights and unpredictable moments became the foundation for friendships, collaborations, and a lasting belief that innovation can happen in small and unexpected ways — and that meaningful change doesn’t always arrive in big, sweeping moments but often in the uiet, in-between spaces where creativity and connection take root.

elissa s

A defining moment in my MEITE experience was presenting at the Innovation Showcase. After months of independent work, it was rewarding to reunite with my cohort and see how each pro ect reflected the skills and concepts we had developed throughout the program. The event was a culmination of our collective e ort. It was a chance to exchange ideas, network with attendees, and celebrate what we had achieved together. Presenting my research on the educational publishing industry was both challenging and energizing. I had spent weeks preparing, refining my message, and anticipating uestions. When it came time to step on stage at the Friday Center, I felt a mix of nerves and excitement that uickly turned into focus. I had an overwhelming sense of pride in my work and deep respect for the creativity and rigor my classmates demonstrated.

a ie ss

My key memory from my time in MEITE was the community that was fostered by Dr. Cherner and my fellow classmates. I will never forget working alongside such a dynamic and diverse group of people.

i le nn Hargr e

In a course, we were assigned to group pro ects with a local client. urs was an education specialist working with students with visual impairments, who wanted to create a game that would introduce her students to the basics of coding. We worked on the game itself during the course, but - through testing it with members of the target audience - we learned that the students wanted a tactile model of the game environment to help them develop a mental image of the game. iven my experience with D printing through my internship, I was eager to develop D tools that would do ust that. Ultimately, that work became my master s thesis pro ect, and I was able to test my D printed designs with visually impaired students at the NC School for the lind. eing able to iterate and put what I had created into the hands of students and gathering their feedback in real time was an unforgettable experience, and something that I truly value from my time in the MEITE program.

arrett Gri a litis

My favorite memory was developing my capstone prototype, an AI-powered lesson planning tool for educators. What began as a simple idea evolved into a fully realized pro ect through the guidance of my professors and the collaboration of my peers. I remember the iterative design sessions, mapping out user personas, testing wireframes, and presenting to real educators, where I began to see how innovation could truly meet the needs of teachers. That process solidified my belief that technology, when thoughtfully designed, can empower educators and transform learning experiences. It was the moment I truly began to see myself not ust as a teacher, but as an educational innovator.

e ers n

I was encouraged to participate in the Carolina Pitch Challenge by Dr. notek, as it was extra credit in his class. To prepare, I attended Dr. Flood s pitch workshop which I still reference today. Pitching in front of so many people was an incredible experience for my public speaking and ability to persuade. It was an awesome experience and I was honored that my team came in second place.

as n tra s

Creating Uncovering Abilities in Education stands out. Inspired by an idea from my mentor, I transformed my lived experiences into a course that helps adult learners explore how to cultivate mutually oyful interabled relationships. I discovered that instructional design is a powerful way to put the ideals I deeply value — accessibility, inclusion, and belonging — into practice. This experience opened doors for me to collaborate with organizations, share my passion for digital accessibility, and partner with future leaders through classroom visits. A special thanks to Dr. ob ucas for his unwavering support, impactful teaching, and for empowering me to proudly call myself an instructional designer.

r t a an a

I had an incredible internship experience working with Dr. Carter at Innovate Carolina. Translating design thinking concepts from the MEITE classroom to a real world use case that resulted in publication of UNC s the ten-year strategic innovation framework was a highlight of my experience.

When I first started working on Apple Math AI, I honestly had no idea how to use Chat PT to design a functional prototype. I was fascinated by the potential of AI, but everything — from prompt engineering to interface logic — felt new and overwhelming. That’s when Dr. Cherner became an incredible source of guidance and encouragement. He didn’t ust help me solve technical problems—he helped me think di erently. y the end of the pro ect, Apple Math AI could actually generate adaptive math problems, give real-time hints, and even respond with emotional encouragement for neurodivergent learners. It was a moment of transformation for me. That experience remains one of my most meaningful memories from MEITE. It taught me that innovation isn’t ust about knowing the tools—it’s about having the courage to start when you don’t.

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I remember an accordion serenade from Professor Sawyer during one of our extremely compelling classes for earning Science. His perspective and deep understanding of the science of learning and research in creativity was very inspiring to me. There were so many great discussions with my cohort that still influence my thinking today

ennett ans

eing part of the group that went to the SITE conference made me so honored to be surrounded by such supportive and brilliant peers. I had so many valuable conversations with educators and designers from all over the country, and it really opened my eyes to the possibilities of innovation in education. It was also great getting to watch and support my classmates as they presented at the conference.

i en H e

My favorite memory was finally getting to meet my classmates in person at the end of the year after C VID. We had diligently worked together on countless pro ects entirely online, so meeting face-to-face felt especially meaningful. The networking and collaboration within our MEITE cohort has truly been unmatched.

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AD ANCING NOW EDGE D I ING INNO ATION

ur world is propelled by people. People who imagine and persevere and create. At the UNC School of Education, we build people’s minds, spirits, and resolve to make the world a better place through education. ur community of scholars, students, sta , and alumni propel the world.

We work to solve pressing problems, to better understand learning, to improve teaching, to redefine what it means to educate lifelong and lifewide. We innovate. We ask and answer tough uestions — to ensure that every learner has the opportunity to reach their maximum potential.

At the UNC School of Education, we Propel the World.

Among the ways we fulfill this mission is through an ing n le ge, ri ing nn ati n.

We produce cutting-edge knowledge and pursue innovative, research-based solutions to the most pressing problems of educational theory, practice, programs, and policy in North Carolina, the nation, and beyond.

The MEITE program exemplifies this vision by preparing graduates to harness emerging technologies, design thinking, and entrepreneurial strategies to reimagine learning. Through immersive coursework and real-world pro ects, MEITE students develop innovations that bridge gaps in education — whether launching new platforms, engineering adaptive learning environments, or shaping evidence-based tools that empower educators and learners alike. In doing so, they embody what it means to propel the world.

No matter how you’ve been part of MEITE’s first 10 years — whether as a student, faculty member, industry partner, or a member of our community — thank you for helping advance our School’s mission and, together, shape the future of education.

WITH US CONNECT

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Master of Arts in Educational Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship

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10 MEITE YEARS

HA E NEWS

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