Research and Reflections
September 29, 2026
Siebel Center for Design, Classroom 1000
1:00- 3:00 pm
Research and Reflections is intended as a celebration of the remarkable efforts of our Affiliates in integrating Human-Centered Design (HCD) into campus across our research contexts. Specifically, this event is intended to recognize the practical and theoretical contributions that have enriched our campus through the implementation of the HCD framework.
In addition, we hope that this event series serves as an invitation to those from across campus who may not yet see themselves in the work we do at SCD. We aim to illuminate the paths that drew our Affiliates to HCD, showcasing the insights, learnings, and opportunities they've discovered along the way.
Keynote
What Makes Experiential Learning Work? Designing for Real Impact
As higher education faces increasing pressure to demonstrate relevance and impact, experiential learning offers a powerful path forward. In this interactive keynote, we’ll explore key trends shaping higher education that make experiential learning more important than ever—and what it takes to design experiences that truly drive student transformation. Participants will also engage with a practical tool to evaluate and strengthen their own experiential initiatives—leaving with clear, actionable ideas to enhance student outcomes.
Andrew Allen
Andrew has worked in experiential learning for 15 years, as an administrator and an instructor in undergraduate, graduate and online programs at the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. As Assistant Dean at the Gies College of Business, Andrew oversees experiential learning, student professional development and learner experience. Gies Business has one of the largest experiential learning programs in the U.S., with thousands of students participating in experiential projects every year.
Panelists & Lightning Talks
Dr. Yun Huang (Affiliate)
Panelist and Lightning Talk Speaker
Dr. Yun Huang is an Associate Professor in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She develops AI solutions that promote human–AI synergy, expand educational access, and improve community services. Her work, funded by agencies such as NSF, IMLS, and NIDILRR and industry leaders including OpenAI, Google, and IBM Research, focuses on translating research into real-world impact. She was recently selected for the 2024–25 Emerging Research Leaders Academy at Illinois’ Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute and holds a Ph.D. from UC Irvine and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Tsinghua University
Aric Rindfleisch (Affiliate)
Lightning Talk SpeakerAric Rindfleisch is the John M. Jones Professor of Marketing and Executive Director of the Illinois MakerLab at the University of Illinois. Aric’s research focuses on understanding marketing, innovation and technology in the digital world and has been published in several leading journals including the Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Operations Management, Strategic Management Journal, among others. Aric is also an AMA Fellow and teaches three popular Coursera classes (Marketing in a Digital World, The Digital Marketing Revolution & The 3D Printing Revolution) that have collectively enrolled over 750,000 learners.
Jean Drasgow (Affiliate)
Panelist
Jean Drasgow is the Sr. Dir. of Experiential Learning and the Director of Career Services for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In her role, Drasgow oversees the career development of 3200 undergraduate and graduate students. Through her tenure at the University, Drasgow has developed multiple courses and trainings including a client-facing, authentic problem, team-based needs assessment course. Previously Drasgow managed the University of Illinois Center for Human Resource Management (CHRM), an applied research center in collaboration with executive partners from fortune 500 corporations. Prior to CHRM, Drasgow was a human resource consultant. Drasgow earned her PhD in Agricultural Education and Leadership at the University of Missouri in December 2024. Her dissertation focused on the School-to-Work Transition of college graduates. Drasgow also holds an MA in Human Resources, MS in Rehabilitation Administration and BS in Horticulture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Amber Dewey Schultz (Affiliate)
PanelistDr. Amber Dewey Schultz is a Teaching Assistant Professor of Immersive and Interactive Theatre at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and an affiliate of Game Studies & Design, the Siebel Center for Design, and IMMERSE: Center for Immersive Computing. She is an interdisciplinary experience designer specializing in audience interaction design, immersive storytelling, and playable theatre. Her work applies human-centered design to both creative practice and curriculum development. She previously served as Assistant Director of Academic Programs at the Siebel Center for Design, where she developed interdisciplinary courses and programs grounded in design thinking. Her creative research includes I Wish: A Theatrical Puzzle Room, which inspired the award-winning Forest of Fables at CU Adventures in Time and Space, and her current project adapting Lasers & Feelings into an interactive performance exploring scalable audience interaction. She holds an MFA in Experience Design from Miami University and a BFA in Design & Production from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.