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Andrea Oleniczak
Design Innovation Hub & Ecosystem Manager at Kent State University
Andrea Oleniczak is the Design Innovation Hub & Ecosystem Manager at Kent State University, where she has been instrumental in fostering innovation and collaboration among students and faculty. She joined Kent State in April 2020 and has quickly made a significant impact within the university's design community, recognized for her commitment to student mentorship and support.13
Educational Background
Oleniczak holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied from 2017 to 2020. Prior to that, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Glass from the College for Creative Studies (2005-2007) and attended Grand Valley State University from 2001 to 2004.1
Professional Experience
Before her role at Kent State, Oleniczak worked in various capacities that combined design and management:
- Beta Technologies: Team Member since December 2021.
- University of Wisconsin-Madison: Laser Lead & Assistant Manager at the Grainger Engineering Design Innovation Lab (2017-2020).
- Lake Michigan College: Fab Lab Director (2016-2017).
- TechShop: Facilities Operations Manager (2015-2016) and Operations Manager & Prototyping Consultant (2011-2013) .13
Certifications and Awards
Oleniczak has obtained several certifications, including:
- Tailwheel Airplane Endorsement from the FAA (June 2024).
- Foundations in Design Thinking Certificate and Advanced Design Thinking Certificate from IDEO U (2021). Additionally, she received the Paul L. Pfeiffer Faculty/Staff Mentor Award from LaunchNet Kent State in May 2021, highlighting her dedication to mentoring students.13
Personal Insights
Described as an interdisciplinary artist and designer, Oleniczak uses visual language systems to explore connections and communication. Her approach emphasizes the integration of engineering, design, and education, aiming to inspire innovation within the academic environment.24
Overall, Andrea Oleniczak exemplifies a strong commitment to advancing design innovation at Kent State University through her diverse background and proactive engagement with students.

