Rethinking Innovation with Adam Heikkinen

In our very first episode of Innovation Exchange, Elizabeth sits down with UW-Whitewater junior Adam Heikkinen to explore innovation beyond the buzzword. From balancing accounting, IT, and the Honors program to recognizing innovation in everyday problem-solving, Adam shares how curiosity—not flashiness—drives meaningful change.

Together, they discuss:

• How innovation looks at the student level

• What holds students back from experimenting

• Why small mindset shifts can be powerful

• The intersection of accounting and IT in shaping the future

• The role students play in shaping campus innovation

If you’ve ever thought, “I want to be more innovative, but I don’t know where to start,” this conversation is for you.

Innovation doesn’t start with perfection—it starts with curiosity.