Dear colleagues,
What could your expertise make possible alongside a K–12 school, community organization, or industry partner?
The Center for Educational Innovation and Opportunity (CEIO) invites faculty from all colleges and schools across ÑÇÉ«ÊÓƵ to join the inaugural CEIO Faculty Innovation Network, beginning in Spring 2027.
The network connects faculty with ÑÇÉ«ÊÓƵ’s partner schools, the Innovation Lab, and their community and industry partners to develop collaborative projects. No background in education, existing school partnership, or fully developed project is required.
Possible collaborations include:
- Developing hands-on projects focused on energy, maritime technology, or coastal resilience.
- Creating community history projects, public art, or digital stories.
- Designing entrepreneurship experiences, organizational plans, or program sustainability strategies.
- Developing health literacy resources or community wellness initiatives.
- Creating youth leadership opportunities or community engagement initiatives.
- Designing curriculum, developing instructional resources, or implementing new approaches to teaching and learning.
- Conducting collaborative research, evaluating programs, or writing grant proposals to support shared priorities.
- Developing internships, mentorships, or other experiences connecting students with college and career opportunities.
- Building recruitment pathways that introduce K–12 students to ÑÇÉ«ÊÓƵ’s academic programs and support their transition to college.
These examples are starting points. We welcome interests and expertise beyond those listed, and projects will grow from faculty interests and partner priorities. Interdisciplinary team proposals are encouraged.
Phase One: Engagement and Project Design | Spring 2027
Stipend: $2,000 per participant upon completion
Participants will:
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Attend the virtual kickoff on January 14, 2027, from 12:30–1:20 p.m.
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Participate in all virtual cohort check-ins on February 11, April 8, and May 13, from 12:30–1:20 p.m.
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Visit an ÑÇÉ«ÊÓƵ partner school in January or February and complete a second school visit or partner engagement during the spring.
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Attend a portion of the CEIO Innovation Summit, March 3 and/or 4, 2027, at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.
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Develop a project plan with partners defining the scope, timeline, deliverables and outcomes, and potential measures of success by May 20.
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CEIO will support collaboration through its Design Thinking and Possibilities framework; no prior experience or separate training is required.
Phase Two: Project Development | Summer 2027 (with potential to include the 27-28 AY)
Participants will complete their collaboratively designed projects. Products might include instructional resources, creative works, professional learning, applied research, program evaluations, implementation tools, or funding proposals.
An additional stipend (to be determined based upon the proposed project) will be provided for Phase Two, with the amount confirmed before that phase begins.
Interested? Email a brief expression of interest to ceio@odu.edu that includes your name, department, and college or school; the expertise you would bring; an opportunity you would like to explore with partners; and how participation connects to your teaching, scholarship, creative activity, or community engagement. Please confirm your availability for the Phase One commitments and note any potential conflicts. A completed project proposal is not required.
Submission deadline: December 4, 2026
Acceptance notifications: December 18, 2026