This session will explore an innovative, collaborative approach to designing for engaged learning and student success at the University of Denver (DU), in support of the university-wide Four-Dimensional (4D) Experience focused on the four dimensions of intellect, character, well-being, and purpose. To deliver 4D at scale and increase institutional creative capacity, DU runs a design-thinking series that provides faculty and staff across colleges, schools, and divisions with strategies and tools to design for rich learning environments that center the whole person. This series utilizes design-thinking mindsets and methods to guide faculty and staff in experimenting with small, iterative changes and enhancements for big student impact. In the process, the series not only increases faculty and staff capacity to foster their students’ well-being and purpose but also has contributed to faculty and staff well-being and purpose as well.
During the session, participants will gain an understanding of how the DU 4D Design Series has utilized design thinking to design both curricular and co-curricular learning environments that advance a range of outcomes, from belonging to joy. Then delving into the specific example of resilience, the session will share national data and resilience frameworks, building participants’ familiarity with Dr. Mary C. Murphy’s “cultures of growth” concept. Utilizing the DU model, participants will engage in interactive and reflective exercises that enable them to identify concrete ways of implementing design thinking to foster student resilience and engaged learning at their own universities.
You must be registered for the LearningWell Coalition 2026 Annual Conference to sign up for this session.