At the U of A, the College of Engineering is leading the way with a groundbreaking doctoral-level STEM course focused on mastering the innovation process. Now in its third year, this unique program brings together Ph.D. students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics - the STEM fields - to build not only deep technical expertise but also essential people skills — a powerful combination that drives career success and organizational impact.

Why Innovation Matters

For companies: Innovation fuels growth, competitive advantage and long-term success.
For individuals: Leaders who foster innovation stand out and create lasting value.

The Hidden Key to Innovation: People Skills

In addition to technical mastery, the ability to understand people, adapt behaviors and foster collaboration is what truly drives innovation. The most successful innovators are those who communicate effectively, work across social styles and navigate the dynamics of modern organizations.

Our class examined the top 50 most innovative companies, which have consistently outperformed the MSCI World Index by 3.3 percentage points annually in shareholder return. Most are also recognized among the world's most admired companies — a testament to how innovation shapes industry leadership.

What We're Seeing in Industry

Today, 79% of companies rank innovation among their top three strategic priorities, and 66% plan to increase their innovation investment. They're also rethinking what makes a high-quality employee. Increasingly, companies are prioritizing soft skills — like adaptability, collaboration and leadership — over academic tenure alone. Innovation is no longer just a technical challenge — it's a human one.

Industry Engagement and Guest Expertise

Our students had the opportunity to engage with a variety of guest speakers and panelists, each offering their own perspective on innovation in academia and industry:

• Bob Poag, Ph.D. — engineering, industry, entrepreneurship
• Jerry Gollingher, B.S. — engineering, medical devices consultant
• Thomas Klasson, Ph.D. — engineering, academia and industry
• Karen Reed, B.S. — engineering, industry
• Hop Boyd, M.S. — engineering, industry, entrepreneurship
• Joshua Mourot, B.S., M.D. — engineering and robotic surgery
• Melody Herr, Ph.D. — history of science, University Libraries
• Laura Moix, Phil Shellhammer, Jose Cartagena Ortiz — Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Their collective wisdom helped students understand the broader context of innovation—how it's experienced and driven across sectors and why human-centered leadership is essential.

Leadership and Instruction

This course was taught by Jose Vega and Michael Mourot, with overall guidance from University Professor Ed Clausen. Together, they ensured students left not just with advanced technical insight, but with the interpersonal tools needed to lead innovation in any setting.

Go Hogs

For more information, contact Michael Mourot, instructor in the Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering, at mourot@uark.edu or 832-671-5293.