Ycenter x MIAMI DADE
Social Innovation Fellows Bootcamp
2 day Design Thinking workshop
Nov 8-9, 2025
Ycenter’s award-winning human-centered design innovation framework
In collaboration with the Miami Dade College presents a dynamic two-day workshop on
Nov 08–09, 2025
Designed for students, this immersive experience focuses on hands-on innovation and real-world problem-solving. Participants will work in teams to develop human-centric solutions that focus on social innovation for the community.
SCHEDULE for the 2 day Workshop
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9.00 AM Registration, introduction to the program
9.30 AM Complex problem breakdown using human-centered design
11.30 AM Building a problem statement and design brief
12.00 - 1.00 PM Lunch
1.00 PM Empathy building activity
2.00 PM Researching your problem
3.00 PM Design your brief and getting feedback
4.00 pm Creative Ideation
5.00 PM Reflections and open agenda
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9.00 AM Day 2 registration
9.30 AM Idea building and prototyping
11.00 AM Building Prototype for your Domain using VIBE coding
12.00 - 1.00 PM Lunch
1.00 PM Working in teams to build your final presentation
2.00 PM Final pitches and feedback
4.00 PM Certificates and networking
📍 Location
Miami Dade College - Padrón Campus,
627 SW 27th Ave, Miami, FL 33135,
Room 3103 (Building 3)
TOP SKILLS YOU WILL ACQUIRE IN THIS WORKSHOP
CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
COMPLEX PROBLEM BREAKDOWN
IDEA TO PROTOTYPING
HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN
ART OF STORYTELLING
USER PERSONA & MARKET RESEARCH
Flaunt your skills with a Digital Certificate on LinkedIn
Upon completing our program, Ycenter will provide participants with a verified certificate that can be showcased as a LinkedIn badge, highlighting your achievement and new skills. This badge not only enhances your professional profile but also signals to potential employers that you've gained valuable, hands-on experience in innovation, sustainability, design thinking and entrepreneurship.
Register
From climate action to healthcare, from education to economic mobility, let’s build solutions that impact your community, city and potentially scale beyond borders.
This program is delivered under the umbrella of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals - UN SDGS
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
Meet the Program Partners and Experts
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Dhairya Pujara
FOUNDER, CEO, Ycenter
Dhairya Pujara is the Founder, CEO at Ycenter, where he has built programs for Sustainability, Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the last 12 years. At Ycenter, he has built award winning Entrepreneurship and Innovation programs for universities and organizations in 30+ countries across 4 continents. His work has been featured in Philadelphia Business Journal, BBC Radio, Entrepreneur magazine, Times Media group and more. He has been a global public speaker with invitations from the United Nations, World Bank, World Economic Forum, Social Enterprise World Forum, SXSW, TEDx and top universities and Fortune 500 companies. He has worked as Policy Innovator and Advisor for multiple governmental agencies and think tanks around the world. He is a serial entrepreneur, working directly to support job creation, technology innovation ventures and for this work he has received a visa reserved for individuals of extraordinary abilities from the US immigration services.
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Sandra Louk Lafleur
MIAMI DADE COLLEGE DIRECTOR, Changemaking Education and Social Innovation
Dr. Sandra Louk LaFleur serves as the Director of Changemaker Education and Social Innovation at Miami Dade College, where she leads college-wide efforts to build and sustain a robust changemaking ecosystem. Her collaborative work spans eight campuses, integrating social impact education into curricular and co-curricular learning.
With extensive experience in youth development and higher education strategy, her past roles include National Vice President of Program for Summer Search and Associate Vice President of Research, Evaluation, and Innovation at Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. She currently serves on national boards and advisory committees for the Children’s Literacy Initiative, The National Mentoring Partnership, the American Psychological Association, and the Carnegie Community Engagement Elective. She holds a B.S. from the University of Miami, an M.S. from Florida State University, and an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Innovation from Arizona State University.
Key Partners
Miami Dade College (MDC) is the largest public community college in the United States, offering over 300 degree pathways, including associate and bachelor's degrees, career certificates, and apprenticeships, all within an affordable and accessible "open access" environment. With multiple campuses, outreach centers, and virtual learning options, MDC serves a diverse student body, aiming to transform lives and promote workforce development through valuable real-world knowledge and support.
Ycenter is a USA based global innovation consulting organization. Ycenter has developed and
implemented programs for universities, governments, Fortune 500 companies and enabled launch and growth of new ventures using a Human-centered design framework for innovation. It has received awards and recognitions ranging from United Nations to Inc magazine and has created impactful projects in 30 countries across 4 continents.
Archangel Foundation focuses on more than technology—it’s about people. We ensure every student has equal opportunities to learn and grow by providing access to technology that levels the educational playing field. Our commitment to inclusivity and support for teachers and students helps close gaps that leave some kids behind, and we take this responsibility seriously by working long-term with schools and communities to create meaningful change. Our approach isn’t just about providing devices—it’s about using “Technology with Soul” to foster real connections and lasting impact, because investing in education means investing in a better future for all.