Henderson Earns Pedagogy Grant Empowering Creativity: Leveraging Technology and Training for Transformative Learning in BADM742, Creative Thinking and Design Dr. Amber Henderson, Associate Professor for marketing and management, recently earned a grant given through the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) at Northern. Dr. Henderson used the grant to participate in IDEO U’s Creative Thinking for Complex Problem Solving course. The knowledge gained in this five-week program helped Henderson enhance active learning strategies within her BADM742 Creative Thinking and Design course. BADM742 is a core course in the new M.S. in Strategic Innovation and Leadership program. The IDEO U (www.ideou.com) training equipped Henderson to create a course environment where students feel empowered to take risks, experiment, and co-create. As part of BADM742, students partnered with Northern State University Student Affairs and the Boys and Girls Club of Aberdeen Area on projects. Each group applied course concepts to develop innovative, professional solutions tailored to their partner organization’s needs. During finals week, students presented action plans to each organization. These plans are designed to support and advance each organization’s mission. Henderson The CETL Pedagogy Grant enhanced the impact of BADM742 by integrating innovative pedagogy with community-based learning, equipping students with creative problem-solving skills and empowering them to make meaningful contributions to their communities. School of Business Alum Delivers Commencement Address Mr. Gregg Wiitala, NSU Distinguished Alumnus of 2012, delivered the 2025 spring commencement address on Saturday, May 10. Wiitala graduated from Northern in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science in economics. He went on to earn a Master of Arts in economic development from Ohio University in 1972. Over the course of his career, he has led economic expansion projects across developing and poverty-stricken countries, including work in Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Wiitala began his international service as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya from 1966 to 1969. He later held managerial roles with Technoserve, Inc., focusing on agro-business enterprise development, before beginning a 25-year career with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Throughout his time with USAID, Wiitala led multimillion-dollar initiatives in Kenya, Mozambique, Ghana, Egypt, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Jordan. His work has spanned areas such as financial and private sector development, agriculture, infrastructure, and humanitarian aid. In his most recent roles with USAID/Jordan, he served as senior program management advisor and senior private sector advisor. Wiitala and his wife, Laura, have two children and currently reside in Jordan, maintaining a home in Minnesota. 5 Wiitala
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