Newsroom

This past January, Christina Hnatov, Academy Experience and Curriculum Designer, and TLS Alum and friend of the Academy, Gerald Suarez, embarked on a two-week experiential learning adventure through Barcelona and Madrid, Spain. Their mission?

As a Peer Innovation Coach and student-initiated course instructor, Clark helped peers unlock the power of design thinking across disciplines. From teaching user experience and biomimicry to embracing empathy and rapid iteration, his journey through The Academy cultivated a mindset rooted in curiosity, collaboration, and lifelong learning. Describing it as a "Magic Grow" spell, Clark credits the experience with sparking a passion for creative problem-solving that continues to shape his career and personal evolution.

Founded by Wesley Hornpetrie, Regenerate! Orchestra of DMV invites people of all backgrounds—regardless of musical training—to co-create inclusive concert experiences. Inspired by a sister chapter in Michigan, R!O centers human connection and community participation, asking, “What if we rebuilt the orchestra with empathy at its core?” Through collaborations with local arts partners and institutions like the National Orchestral Institute + Festival, R!O is transforming the future of orchestral performance—one welcoming note at a time.

Anne Zappas ’21 blends the worlds of design and wellness through Rooted Rainbow Yoga, her Arlington-based studio dedicated to self-discovery and belonging. Guided by tools like “How Might We” statements and why-laddering—introduced during her time as a peer innovation coach—Anne reimagined the purpose of yoga instruction. By centering empathy, ahimsa, and personalized connection, she’s crafted one-on-one sessions that empower students to explore transformation on and off the mat.

On Election Day, Innovation Fellow Teresa Williams transformed a campus walkway into a space of gratitude and reflection. With the Frederick Douglass statue as her backdrop, Teresa welcomed voters with personalized keepsakes, an interactive voting importance continuum, and a message: your voice matters. Guided by the Work(s) in Progress Studio, her pop-up celebration of civic engagement sparked connection and conversation—while advancing her ongoing project honoring Douglass’s legacy through storytelling and public space.