Innovation Academy

INNOVATION ACADEMY at MNU 

PROGRAM INFORMATION 

The Innovation Academy (IA) at MNU is an honors program designed to cultivate a community of interdisciplinary Christian scholars through academic and spiritual development. Students will be inducted as IA Fellows and explore impactful ways to influence the world while engaging in an enriching and customizable curriculum that enhances depth and knowledge. 

The IA prepares students to become leaders, scholars, and changemakers in their chosen fields. Through a blend of academic excellence, service, research, and leadership, IA students will graduate equipped to make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond. 

ADMISSION AND PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS 
Students in the IA program must meet the following requirements, which are addressed in detail in the sections below: 

• Maintain a minimum 3.50 GPA and earn at least a B in all IA coursework. 

• Be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours per semester). 

• Select an IA pathway (Discovery or Changemaker) and fulfill its specific requirements. 

• Participate in mentoring relationships. 

• Complete 18 credit hours of IA coursework. 

• Fulfill Service and Leadership requirements (45 hours per year). 

• Engage in IA WIRED events each semester. 

• Attend advising sessions with their IA Advisor once per semester. 

• Complete and present an IA Capstone research project. 

IA PATHWAYS 
Students will choose between two specialized pathways: Discovery Pathway and Changemaker Pathway. Each pathway is designed to provide a focused, interdisciplinary approach to learning and professional development. Pathway descriptions are provided at the end of this section. 

MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS 

IA students will serve as mentors to underclassmen, fostering a supportive academic and professional community. 

IA COURSEWORK 
IA students must complete 18 credit hours across four years. Approved IA coursework include: 

• IA Freshman Seminar 

• Research-methods or research-capstone courses within the student’s major 

• Travel courses 

• Study abroad experiences 

• Upper-division courses that are part of a double major or minor outside of the primary major 

• IA Contract (enable IA students to complete work that adds depth and enrichment to the standard requirements for a given course) 

• Preapproved Gen Ed / Upper Division substitutes in relevant academic areas. Additional substitutions requests can be made with the approval of your IA advisor. 

SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP HOURS 
Students must earn 45 hours per year (180 hours over four years) through service and leadership activities. There is a minimum of 15 hours and a maximum of 30 hours per semester (excluding first semester). Eligible Activities Include (but are not limited to): 

• ASG (Associated Student Government) 

• MNU Club or Council Leadership 

• Resident Assistant (RA) 

• MNU Fine Arts and Athletics activities 

• Local Church Ministry 

• Mission Trips 

• On-campus jobs (Teaching Assistant, Tutor, etc.) 

• Community service and volunteer work relevant to the student’s field of study 

IA WIRED 
Students must attend IA WIRED events each semester. These include gateway seminars, professional development seminars, service projects, interdisciplinary journal club, and mentoring, peer review, and brainstorming sessions. 

IA ADVISING 
Students must attend a mandatory advising session once per semester with their designated IA Advisor to track progress, log service hours, and clarify policies. 

IA CAPSTONE 
The IA Capstone is an iterative research-based project integrating collaboration, inquiry, data analysis, writing, and presentation. Students will: 

• Choose a research topic in collaboration with their IA or research advisor. 

• Produce an original, peer-reviewed thesis. 

• Present their research to the MNU community during the MNU Celebration of Scholarship in their senior year. 

• Yearly expectations: 

• Freshman year: Training and capstone idea brainstorming. 

• Sophomore year: Narrow down research focus and peer review of senior capstones. 

• Junior year: Begin capstone project, serve as peer editors for sophomores. 

• Senior year: Finalize and present capstone project. 

PATHWAY DESCRIPTIONS 

DISCOVERY PATHWAY 

Designed for Liberal Arts, STEM, and Interdisciplinary students, this pathway supports academic enrichment and preparation for graduate studies. The Discovery Pathway emphasizes critical thinking, research, and intellectual discourse guided by faculty with strong research backgrounds. 

Outcomes: 

• Develop a personal narrative connecting college experiences to post-graduation goals. 

• Contribute to and/or produce original research. 

• Build a portfolio documenting service, leadership, and research. 

CHANGEMAKER PATHWAY 

This pathway is tailored for students passionate about social change, community service, and entrepreneurship. Students will learn to transform ideas into actionable initiatives through faculty-led projects and real-world experiences. 

Outcomes: 

• Develop a personal narrative connecting college experiences to post-graduation goals. 

• Engage in serving learning activities 

• Build a portfolio documenting service, leadership, and impact in the MNU community and beyond.