UCO Political Science Professor Awarded DaVinci Institute’s Creativity in Education Fellowship
Liberal Arts News and Events
May 8, 2024
John Wood with his award from DaVinci Institute
The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) College of Liberal Arts proudly announces the recognition of John R. Wood, Ph.D., professor of public administration for the Department of Political Science, for his outstanding contribution to education. Wood has been awarded the prestigious DaVinci Institute’s 2024 Creativity in Education Fellowship in acknowledgment of his exceptional work in fostering creativity and innovation within his students through his”Making a Difference” projects at UCO.
The DaVinci Institute’s Creativity in Education Fellowship is a distinguished honor bestowed upon educators who exhibit exemplary creativity and innovation in their teaching methodologies. Wood is among this year’s three recipients of the fellowship, receiving the esteemed DaVinci “Vitruvian Man” medal and a $1000 grant to further develop his groundbreaking projects.
“Dr. John Wood is a valued member of our department and worthy recipient of the DaVinci Fellowship,” said Ken Kickham, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Political Science at UCO.
“His commitment to serving our students is evident in his work with the Central Oklahoma Sustainability Collaborative, study abroad programs, course design, and Making-a-Difference projects. Dr. Wood inspires his students by exemplifying what it means to be a conscientious and impactful citizen.”
Wood’s grant fund funds are dedicated to enhancing the “Making a Difference” projects, a transformative program initiated in 2015. These projects provide UCO students with hands-on, experiential learning opportunities rarely seen in the classroom that are aimed at addressing real-world challenges facing local city government managers. Through working on, experiencing, and writing about these local-level challenges, students gain practical problem-solving and critical-thinking skills while networking with industry professionals.
“I’m humbled to receive this state-level award from my college and university peers for what I have been working on for the last nine years, facilitating my students with outside experience into the classroom,” said Wood.
“My students can even place these projects on their resumes and enhance their network which could lead to that next job.”
The UCO Department of Political Science empowers its students to become active participants in society by fostering critical thinking and enabling them to assume pivotal roles in public, nonprofit, and private sectors. Students are prepared to shape the future by combining the dynamic world of politics with transformative education.
The DaVinci Institute Creativity in Education Fellowship funds creative projects among Oklahoma’s higher education faculty. Acting on the premise that creative thought and insight are fundamental components of extraordinary scholarship, invention, teaching and performance across academic disciplines, the DaVinci Institute seeks nominees whose proposals for future projects reflect a high degree of innovation and creativity.