Why I Choose to Work at Academic Innovation

Academic Innovation allows me to live out my values by creating engaging educational experiences designed to foster awareness and action around the social challenges of today. In my role as Design Management Lead, I am constantly learning new things, experimenting with new ideas, and collaborating with amazing minds across and beyond the University of Michigan.

Current Roles/Previous Experience

Benjamin Morse is the Design Management Lead in the Center for Academic Innovation where he applies his background in project management, leadership, and entrepreneurship to explore and operationalize innovative ways to create online learning experiences that advance learning at scale. His work focuses on supporting a team of Design Managers who facilitate a range of design and development processes across CAI’s online learning portfolio.

Prior to joining Academic Innovation, Benjamin served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia where he worked in environmental sustainability and food security. He also cofounded a social enterprise called Caravan, which sought to improve transportation and mobility for Detroit’s neighborhood residents in partnership with local nonprofits.

Benjamin is originally from Colorado, and previously lived in Australia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Sint Maarten, and South Korea and traveled to over 35 different countries. I have over 5 years of international experience with an emphasis on community-led development, ecotourism, environmental policy, behavior-change psychology, permaculture design, cross-cultural communication, mobility/transportation, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

Ask Me to Learn About

• Gardening, composting and permaculture design
• Running, ultra-running, and endurance athletics
• Scuba diving and underwater photography