Our Team

Erin Lewis

Erin Lewis, MPA

Executive Director for Center for Innovation and Change

IBM Enterprise Design Thinking Practitioner

Room 273, Ridgway University Center
812-488-5002
el131@36837a.com

Design Thinking Certifications: Henry Ford Learning Institute, IBM Practitioner

Erin Lewis joined the Center for Innovation & Change in June 2015 as a program director, became interim director in 2019, and was appointed executive director in 2021. Prior to joining the Center, she served as former United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's Director of Outreach at iCivics, directing its national field networks, communications and partnerships. She also served as a Research Assistant at the Indiana University Public Policy Institute, Indiana's Director of Civic Education for six years, and is a former United States Marine, having completed Officer Candidate School in Quantico. She obtained her Masters of Public Affairs in Policy Analysis with Honors from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IUPUI. While there, she helped create the Center for Civic Literacy, and completed IU's rigorous Oxford University comparative climate change summer program in England. In 2013, she was one of only three graduate students to receive the William M. Plater Civic Engagement Medallion for service to the community. She also serves as advisor to UE's Dance Company and the Alpha Phi Omega co-ed service fraternity, and is a proud UE alumna - having received her B.S. in Political Science and Psychology from the University of Evansville in 2001. In 2018-2019, she was named UE's Administrator of the Year, and is a member of UE's Coronavirus Task Force, which collectively received the President's Distinguished Service Award for excellence in leadership and guidance during the pandemic.

Andrew Carter

Andrew Carter '07, M'14

Associate Director for the Center for Innovation and Change

Ridgway University Center
812-488-2143
ac116@36837a.com

After 13 years in UE's marketing and communications office, Andrew transitioned to the Center in September 2022. He earned his Bachelor's (Creative Writing) and Master's (public service administration) from the University of Evansville, and brings a unique skillset for strategically operationalizing the Center's significant project demands with multiple constituencies. He also plays the violin for the UE Symphony Orchestra, is a trail and ultra runner, and is a peanut butter and jelly enthusiast.
Derek Jones

Derek Jones, PhD

(he/him/his)

Director, Cognitive Science Program and Faculty Director, Center for Innovation & Change

IBM Enterprise Design Thinking Practitioner

Room 270, Ridgway University Center
812-488-1045
dj4@36837a.com

Design Thinking Certifications: IBM Practitioner

Dr. Jones joined the Center for Innovation and Change as Faculty Director in June 2021. He is Associate Professor of Cognitive Science and has directed the Cognitive Science program at UE since 2013. He also currently directs the First Year Seminar program. Dr. Jones has held many of faculty leadership positions during his time at UE, including Vice Chair of the Faculty Senate and co-chair of the UE Mission and Core Values Workgroup. He received the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Teaching Award in 2019.

Dr. Jones graduated from the University of Evansville with a BA and a BFA in 2003. He served as an officer in the Army after graduating, and then went on to earn an MA from the University of Houston in 2007 and a Ph.D in Philosophy from Indiana University in 2013. His current research interests include the psychology of creativity, expertise, skill acquisition, technology, and embodied cognition, and he has published a book and several articles on related topics. His broader educational interests, which guide his work as Faculty Director, concern the modern university's potential as a catalyst for social good and the cognitive needs of the 21st century student.
Robert Lopez

Robert Lopez ’23

Office Operations Coordinator

CFIC, University Center
rl138@36837a.com

Robert Lopez, a graduate in Ethics and Social Change, traces his journey from Bosse High School to the University of Evansville. His dedication to innovation and community engagement became evident early on when he participated twice in UE’s High School Changemaker Challenge, securing third and second place respectively. Robert's visionary idea of establishing a city-block sized wetland education park in downtown Evansville, aimed at water filtration and fostering economic development, has been central to his ChangeLab projects since his freshman year at UE.

This commitment to innovation continued as he transitioned to the role of Office Operations Coordinator for the Center for Innovation & Change. With a wealth of experience gained over seven years with CIC as a student, Robert is dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation and efficiency in his role. Recognized as the epitome of a UE changemaker, Robert is poised to witness the realization of his idea, a testament to his commitment and forward-thinking approach.