Creative and nimble responses to fast changing trends in higher education

A higher rate of institutional innovation surfaced as a high priority through the Vision 2030 conversations, as were the needs for net revenue growth and diversification. Impact Studio uses proven methodologies to develop innovative solutions for Oregon State's needs.

Mission

Impact Studio is where teams of faculty, students and staff develop and launch bold initiatives that advance Oregon State's strategic plan and improve the university's financial strength.

Leadership

Rich Duncombe

Rich Duncombe is the Executive Director of Impact Studio. Rich has built organizations within Fortune 50 technology companies and universities that expand the portfolio of those organizations. He is passionate about catalyzing initiatives that make a positive impact. Rich builds innovation systems that advance an organization’s mission, deliver growth, change the culture, and motivate employees. His leadership includes company founder, business unit VP and university director. Rich has a MS in Electrical Engineering from the University of California Berkeley and a BSEE from Oregon State University. Rich was inducted into the OSU Academy of Distinguished Engineers in 2005. [email protected], mobile: +1 (541) 602-7451

Jesse Mraz

Jesse Mraz is the Assistant Director for Impact Studio. Jesse earned his BBA, Marketing at UW-Milwaukee, WI and holds project management professional certification. His career experience spans public and private sectors; primarily in education, healthcare, and the arts. He enjoys the exciting potential of start-ups and partnerships and has ventured forth in several opportunities in the US and CZ. Jesse provides program and project management for Impact Studio initiatives, manages the marketing and communications for the department, and supervises the design intern team. He is active in every initiative lifecycle phase from ideation through scale-up. [email protected], mobile: +1 (612) 388-5002

Our Team

Tristan Barthel
Design Intern
Business and Marketing (2024)
Jade Duong
Design Intern
MSB Financial Analytics (2022)
Business Administration (2020)
Matthew Grenz
Design Intern
Design and Innovation Management (2023)
Marketing Minor (2023)
Emmanuel Moncada
Web Developer
Computer Science (2023)

What they're saying...

Evietta Chapman

Business (2021)
Design Intern
2019-2021
“Confidence, speaking skills, ability to organize, and an overall readiness to enter the workforce in a thoughtful way that is meaningful and makes my life feel meaningful, are skills I gained through Impact Studio.”

Jennifer Rodriguez

Major (2021)
Design Intern
2019-2021
“I gained exposure to Human Centered Design, used in design and management frameworks to develop solutions. I aspire to apply this to empower people, their communities, and address problems of inequity.”

Evan Hopper-Moore

Computer Science (2021)
Web Developer
2021
"Working with Impact Studio was a collaborative, fast-paced, and satisfying learning experience. My time here taught me to think about design in new ways and challenge myself to push my work to its best."

Experience

 
Space
Impact Studio is not an ordinary meeting room. High energy, engaging conversations, and rapid fire idea-filled sticky notes are creating new approaches to solve challenging issues. A large jam space provides opportunities for training sessions and seminars.
 
Culture
Oregon State’s reputation for grit, determination, confidence, collaboration, vision, conscientiousness, and inclusion are expectations in full effect in the studio. The rate of learning is off the charts, hierarchy is just another nine letter word, and teams contribute with a sense of urgency.
 
Talent
We’re a magnet for those that thrive on the front end of creating new initiatives. Skilled and experienced teams work in every phase of innovation; delving into uncertainty and building confidence in creating and launching innovative new solutions.
 
Partnerships
Everyone is welcome. We partner with EdTech visionaries and trend watchers to see around the next corner in education. Colleges, division centers, programs, outside organizations, and donors collaboratively identify growth opportunities.

An Introduction

Familiarize yourself with our work by viewing our introduction to the OSU Board of Trustees in 2021.

Impact Studio presentation to Oregon State University Board of Trustees

Inspiration

We at Impact Studio find inspiration in Oregon State alumnus Dick Fosbury's innovative "Fosbury Flop."

fosbury flop