Innovation Hub's Maker Studio Supports Award-Winning KDP Event

Seton Hall University's Innovation Hub is providing new opportunities for campus organizations to engage their members through creative, hands-on experiences. The Xi Gamma Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), the international honor society in education, recently brought members together in the Hub's Maker Studio for its Mugs and Mingle Networking Event, an activity that introduced participants to creative technology while strengthening connections within the chapter. The event received a 2026 Chapter Program Award from Kappa Delta Pi for its approach to membership engagement.

Held shortly after the chapter's induction ceremony, Mugs and Mingle welcomed current members, newly initiated students, faculty and prospective members. The gathering was organized by Renee Cicchino, director of instructional design and training in the Teaching, Learning and Technology Center (TLTC) and president of Xi Gamma's executive board, in collaboration with Lauren McFadden, Ed.D., associate professor in the Department of Educational Studies and the chapter's faculty advisor. The Maker Studio provided an ideal setting for the event, giving members an opportunity to explore technology while participating in a shared creative activity.

Using a sublimation printer and heat press, participants transferred their own designs onto mugs, gaining firsthand experience with equipment that can turn a digital creation into a finished product. As members worked on their designs, the activity encouraged conversation and offered a natural way for newly initiated students to connect with others in the chapter. McFadden recalled watching participants engage with the activity and help one another throughout the process. “The beautiful one-of-a-kind mugs they brought home will stand as a lasting token of a night dedicated to getting to know one another and celebrating the achievements of our KDP members,” she said.

The event received the 2026 Exemplifying Excellence in Membership Programming Award, recognizing Xi Gamma's efforts to create a welcoming environment that strengthens relationships among its members. The honor builds on the chapter's record of nationally recognized programming, including its Power & Progress: Our Voices in Education, Labor and Community program, featured among Kappa Delta Pi's 2025 Chapter Program Award recipients, and its Active Shooter Response and Personal Safety program, which earned the 2026 Exemplifying Excellence in Community Service Programming Award for promoting emergency preparedness and personal safety awareness.

Located on the ground floor of Walsh Library, the Innovation Hub offers specialized studios where students, faculty and staff can explore creative technologies and develop practical skills. The Maker Studio supports a range of projects, from individual interests to academic activities, while also providing opportunities for campus organizations to incorporate hands-on learning into their programming.

“Today's graduates need more than knowledge in their chosen field. Skills like problem-solving, creative thinking, and the ability to turn ideas into something tangible are increasingly important,” Cicchino said. “The Innovation Hub gives students a place to develop those skills through hands-on experiences, whether they're creating something for a class, a student organization, or themselves.”

To learn more about the creative technologies and hands-on opportunities available to the University community, visit the Innovation Hub. 

Categories: Science and Technology