Franklin College Announces Newest Members of Digital Fluency Advisory Council
Franklin College has welcomed two new members to its Digital Fluency Advisory Council. Each will serve on the council for two years and will be limited to two consecutive two-year terms. The council is directed by Andrew Rosner, director of digital fluency at Franklin College.
Franklin College understands that simply providing students with the skills necessary for success in a digital landscape is not enough; they also need access to meaningful opportunities. To support this goal, the college has established the Franklin College Digital Fluency Advisory Council, which serves as a conduit for students to connect with jobs that effectively leverage the training and education they have received at Franklin. The council emphasizes the following key areas:
- Collaborating with faculty and staff, including the director of digital fluency, to advise on the digital and technological landscape in Indianapolis and beyond.
- Actively participating in mock interviews alongside career services and professional development teams.
- Serving as guest speakers and co-instructors, working with faculty to bring real-world experience and expertise to enhance students’ classroom learning.
- Offering internship opportunities for Franklin College students within their companies and organizations, as well as facilitating connections with other professionals.
- Reviewing and assessing student applicants for the digital internship stipend program.
- Identifying funding sources for initiatives related to digital fluency and technology.
- Coordinating educational events with relevant staff to introduce students to the Indianapolis tech ecosystem in impactful ways.
The newly appointed members include:
Mike King is the co-founder of LHP Analytics & IoT, and serves as CPO for LHP Engineering, an industry leader in software–defined products, smart manufacturing and digital transformation, driving transformational change from the C-Suite to the shop floor through highly visible, complex global initiatives.
Chelsea Linder is an ecosystem builder with in-depth experience leading and managing venture development and investment programs across the globe. She joined TechPoint in July 2023 as Vice President of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, where she leads entrepreneurship and innovation programming and strategy and advises on organizational capital formation. She brings over a decade of experience as a leader working in the tech and entrepreneurship space alongside public, academic, non-profit and private partners.
Returning members include:
Linda Calvin, J.D., is the Chief Impact Officer at Reboot Representation, a pioneering initiative focused on narrowing the gender gap in the tech industry for Black, Latina and Native American (BLNA) women. With a strong background in tech and a commitment to diversity, her mission is to ignite passion for tech careers and promote digital literacy in educational programs
Stephanie Cox is the CEO of Lumavate, a product experience management platform that provides marketers with the ability to centralize product data, manage digital assets, and create digital experiences. She is a 2003 graduate of the college.
Aleks Davis is the CEO of B2S Life Sciences, a biotherapeutic enablement company advancing improved analytical methods and outcomes for developers of biotherapeutic drugs and diagnostics.
Darcy Lee is the CEO and Founder of Vita Nova Consulting. She has 20+ years of experience in digital marketing and technology (from IT infrastructure to custom software development). She was named a 2023 Tech 25 Honoree by TechPoint and is a Lecturer of Leadership at Franklin College.
Alison Lightner is an advisor for High Alpha Innovation, a business-to-business software as a service (B2B SaaS) venture studio.
Andy Medley is the co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer at PERQ, a marketing automation solution for automating the multifamily renter’s journey.
Jennifer Merrell gained experience as the Vice President of TechPoint where she worked to bridge the gap between the tech industry and academia. She is the current CEO of Uncharted LLC, where she works as a public speaker and continues to connect the dots in preparing our next generation of workforce talent.
Munashe Mugonda is the Technical Product Owner for Data platform and engineering pipelines at Cummins Inc. She is the Founder and Chair of Utare Foundation, a non-profit focused on providing scholarship and resources to those in impoverished rural remote area in Zimbabwe for a chance to self-sustenance. She is Franklin College 2018 graduate.
Connor Nash is a Global Experience Analytics Manager at Securitas Technology, a provider of integrated security solutions that protect, connect and optimize businesses of all types and sizes. He is a 2016 graduate of the college.
Brandon Platt is the owner and CEO of 4D Digital Media, a company specializing in full scale digital marketing and social media management services for businesses across the United States and Canada. He is a 2010 graduate of the college.
Eric Stanley is the founder and CEO for M2N, a company that promotes equity in workforce development by maximizing access and opportunities for underestimated professionals.
Chris Woolery is the Senior Manager for Analytics and Business intelligence at Republic Airways, a regional airline that operates flights on behalf of American, Delta and United Airlines. He is a 1988 graduate of the college.
"I am excited to work alongside this remarkable team of tech industry professionals to further the digital fluency initiative, closing the gap between Franklin College students and the career opportunities that build on the transformative education they experience here,” said Andrew Rosner, the director of digital fluency at Franklin College. “Together, we will equip students with the critical knowledge and skills needed to navigate the evolving digital world, empowering the next generation of Franklin College graduates to become leaders in innovation."
To learn more about Franklin College’s digital fluency initiative, visit franklincollege.edu/academics/academic-initiatives/digital-fluency-initiative/.