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Call for Facilitators: UMCI and BTS Professional Badge Pilot Program

By: Da'Stanza Murphy, UMCI

Date:

The University of Michigan Center for Innovation (UMCI) in Detroit, in partnership with Black Tech Saturdays (BTS), is seeking experienced facilitators to support the launch of an innovative five-badge professional learning pilot designed to equip adult learners with critical innovation and leadership skills.

The UMCI/BTS Five-Badge Pilot will provide participants with hands-on learning experiences focused on five key competency areas:

  • AI Literacy
  • Storytelling & Marketing
  • Problem Solving
  • Design Thinking
  • Leadership

Each badge includes approximately nine hours of learning delivered over a three-week period through highly interactive, in-person Saturday sessions.

Facilitator Opportunities

UMCI is currently recruiting facilitators for the following upcoming badges:

  • Problem Solving: August 2026
  • Design Thinking: September 2026
  • Leadership: October 2026

Future facilitator opportunities will also be available for AI Literacy and Storytelling & Marketing.

What Facilitators Will Do

Facilitators will work closely with UMCI and BTS staff to create engaging learning experiences that help adult learners build practical, real-world innovation skills.

Responsibilities include:

  • Collaborating on badge content development and refinement
  • Participating in planning meetings, facilitator training, and job-shadowing opportunities
  • Leading engaging, learner-centered classroom experiences
  • Supporting learners as they apply innovation frameworks and tools to real-world challenges

Who Should Apply?

We are seeking experienced educators, trainers, workshop leaders and industry professionals with expertise in areas such as innovation, leadership, problem solving, design thinking, storytelling, marketing, technology or related disciplines.

Experience facilitating adult learning environments is strongly preferred.

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