Joshua B. Morrow
MFA Design Research and Development, 2018

Thesis Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to utilize co-design thinking to investigate and understand the experiences of veteran students entering into college at The Ohio State University (OSU) after military service, and to assist the university in improving those transition experiences. The research significance is that an increasing number of post-9/11 era veterans are utilizing the educational benefits earned through their service. Many of these service members have spent years inside a military culture, which has inadequately prepared them for a transition to the civilian and academic environments.

Joshua B. Morrow served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 2000 until 2011, with one stateside support deployment in 2002 and a deployment to Iraq in 2004-2005, both of which required him to pause his pursuit of a BSD in Industrial Design from The Ohio State University. In 2008 he received his baccalaureate degree from OSU, but was soon deployed to Afghanistan in 2009-2010.

 Josh’s combined experiences of design research and military service have allowed him to develop a deep passion for working with people across the globe and to develop innovative solutions, services, and strategies through insight, empathy and creativity. Looking toward the future, Josh hopes to work in a capacity of service to others through the application of Co-Design Thinking at home and abroad.