Integrated Innovation Institute Celebrates Spring 2022 Diploma Ceremony
By Jess Ignasky
On Friday, May 13, the Integrated Innovation Institute held its Spring 2022 Diploma Ceremony celebrating the Master of Integrated Innovation for Products & Services and M.S. Technology Ventures classes of 2022.
MIIPS and MSTV alumni from the classes of 2020 and 2021 returned to celebrate in person and M.S. Software Management graduates from the classes of 2021 and 2022, who were in town to attend the main Commencement Ceremony, were also recognized.
Student speakers Alex Cusell (MSTV ‘22) and Neha Dwivedi (MIIPS ‘22) spoke to their peers, sharing words of advice and summarizing what they’d learned during their time at the iii.
“I’ve learned many things in the past year and a half. Number one, the golden rule of entrepreneurship: fall in love with the problem and not the solution. Which is much easier said than done!” said Cusell, “The MSTV program taught me that the best beginning is about deeply understanding a problem from every possible angle.”
“For each person in the room today, I know that the future is bright,” said Dwivedi.
“While our journey with Carnegie Mellon and the MIIPS program ends today, I wholeheartedly believe that our learning will continue on. For it isn’t just the skills that we have gained, but our mindset that has changed. To remain curious, to ask a lot of questions, and when asked a question, respond pensively with ‘it depends’ because it truly does depend and it is our responsibility as changemakers to fully understand the context, the problem, and need before proposing answers and solutions.”
Student awards were also given to Virgil Looney (MIIPS ‘22) and Alex Cusell (MSTV ‘22). Students were voted on by faculty for representing the iii best and showing leadership skills inside and outside of the classroom.
After receiving diplomas, students were applauded by Alumni Relations Manager, Mary Kilcoyne on their new alumni status. “For those who don’t know, Carnegie Mellon has an alumni network of almost 110,000 and all of you have just joined that esteemed group!”
“I appreciated [Neha’s] use of the word family, because that’s what you’re welcomed into. You’re always going to have a home here at CMU and at the iii.”
Congratulations to our graduates, we can’t wait to see what you do next in your careers!
Watch the Spring 2022 Diploma Ceremony
