Design Thinking Certifications: Henry Ford Learning Institute, IBM Practitioner

Erin Lewis joined the Center for Innovation & Change in June 2015 as a program director, became interim director in 2019, and was appointed executive director in 2021. Prior to joining the Center, she served as former United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's Director of Outreach at iCivics, directing its national field networks, communications and partnerships. She also served as a Research Assistant at the Indiana University Public Policy Institute, Indiana's Director of Civic Education for six years, and is a former United States Marine, having completed Officer Candidate School in Quantico. She obtained her Masters of Public Affairs in Policy Analysis with Honors from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IUPUI. While there, she helped create the Center for Civic Literacy, and completed IU's rigorous Oxford University comparative climate change summer program in England. In 2013, she was one of only three graduate students to receive the William M. Plater Civic Engagement Medallion for service to the community. She also serves as advisor to UE's Dance Company and the Alpha Phi Omega co-ed service fraternity, and is a proud UE alumna - having received her B.S. in Political Science and Psychology from the University of Evansville in 2001. In 2018-2019, she was named UE's Administrator of the Year, and is a member of UE's Coronavirus Task Force, which collectively received the President's Distinguished Service Award for excellence in leadership and guidance during the pandemic.

Andrew Carter is the Associate Director of the Center for Innovation & Change at the University of Evansville. In this role, he oversees the ChangeLab program, the High School and Global Changemaker Challenges, contributes to the Driving Possibilities initiative, and provides administrative support to the Evansville Promise Neighborhood. Before this position, he spent over 12 years as a writer and editor in the University’s Office of Marketing and Communications and also worked at a local marketing agency.

He earned a BFA in creative writing and MFA in public service administration from UE, is trained in design thinking, and is interested in how storytelling and strategy can support change — even in resistant environments.

Design Thinking Certifications: IBM Practitioner

Dr. Derek Jones has served as Director of Field Innovation for the University of Evansville’s Center for Innovation & Change since August 2023. Prior to that, he directed UE’s Cognitive Science program from 2012-2023. He currently designs Changemaking-centered programming and facilitates workshops for audiences ranging from elementary schoolers to university administrators. He is also working to build a network of high school changemakers throughout southeastern Indiana and Kentucky.

Derek’s current interests include systems analyses of social problems, the effective and ethical use of AI, and how cognitive science can inform the design of tools, techniques and physical spaces that support creative problem solving.

Robert Lopez, a graduate in Ethics and Social Change, traces his journey from Bosse High School to the University of Evansville. His dedication to innovation and community engagement became evident early on when he participated twice in UE’s High School Changemaker Challenge, securing third and second place respectively. Robert's visionary idea of establishing a city-block sized wetland education park in downtown Evansville, aimed at water filtration and fostering economic development, has been central to his ChangeLab projects since his freshman year at UE.

This commitment to innovation continued as he transitioned to the role of Office Operations Coordinator for the Center for Innovation & Change. With a wealth of experience gained over seven years with CIC as a student, Robert is dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation and efficiency in his role. Recognized as the epitome of a UE changemaker, Robert is poised to witness the realization of his idea, a testament to his commitment and forward-thinking approach.