The word “protocol” has a somewhat rigid, almost clinical connotation for me, evoking a sense of strict rules, a process that must be followed, perhaps consequences if one does not. Yet in the last year or two, I have learned that protocols do not have to be that…

As we look towards a new year of possibilities and opportunities, we wanted to step back and share some updates with our Principled Innovation Staff Catalysts cohort.

Educators from MLFTC attended and presented at the 45th Annual Association for Moral Education Conference. The focus on “Morality and Ethics for the Digital World” at the Seattle conference directly aligned with Principled Innovation and provided the perfect opportunity for MLFTC educators to discuss current and future enactments of the framework.

December traditionally has been an opportunity for our Principled Innovation team to look back on the work we have accomplished over the past twelve months and see how far we have progressed towards.

A few years ago we asked ourselves the question, “What could it mean for a college of education at a public university to integrate a character education framework into the systems of teacher and leader preparation?” The answer was uncertain, complex and, according to some, impossible.

Reorganizing the student success team in Student Services so that students have easy access to staff who can provide support in specific areas of need, including wellness, financial advising, and career counseling.

This cohort of MLFTC staff will work together during the 2019-20 academic year to demystify the practice of Principled Innovation and inspire positive change across MLFTC.

Quick summary: In which I disparage the buzzword “design thinking” even while praising the idea of design; point to the value-neutral nature of design and the need for a more principled approach, and end with a video that seeks to capture a vision of Principled Innovation embedded into the design process.