Design thinking is a hands-on, user-centric approach to problem-solving. This allows participants to create solutions that address real problems as defined by the end-user, rather than the designer. The Design Thinking process used by the Innovate Monarchs program reinforces this learning by guiding students through the empathy-building process, which teaches students to listen to the experiences and insights of others before jumping to conclusions or developing solutions.

Innovate Monarch is a program for first- and second-year undergraduate students to identify a challenge or issue facing ODU Monarchs while using design thinking approach.