NEWS

The Louisiana Tech University College of Education and Human Sciences celebrated the newly-named Higginbotham Create Studio, a space designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and technological innovation. As part of the Emergent Learning Research Institute, the new studio provides students, faculty, and district partners with access to cutting-edge educational technology for digital content creation.

“Each ELRI studio had a unique focus,” Dr. Lisa Flanders-Dick, ELRI coordinator, said. “Unlike the Connect Studio, which focuses on hybrid meetings and virtual collaboration, or the Explore Studio, which specializes in AR/VR experiences, the Higginbotham Create Studio is dedicated to digital content creation for teaching and learning, providing a specialized environment for developing and refining instructional media.”

The studio was made possible by a generous gift from Lawrence and Alice Higginbotham, dedicated supporters of CEHS, who named the space in honor of Fred and Mary Higginbotham. Their family’s deep-rooted passion for education inspired their contribution, ensuring future generations have access to transformative learning experiences.

“My father was always eager to embrace new technology by wanting to be on the cutting edge and never settling for the old ways,” L. Higginbotham said. “This studio embodies his vision, pushing education forward with the latest innovations. I know he would have loved being at the forefront of it all.”

Alice Higginbotham, a retired special education teacher and dyslexia therapist, emphasized the broader impact of the studio beyond just digital learning.

“We wanted Fred and Mary’s legacy to live on in a space where students can engage, learn, and collaborate,” she said. “As a dyslexia therapist, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of preparing future educators to support students with disabilities. Louisiana Tech has made significant strides in this area, and we hope this studio will not only enhance learning but also increase awareness of the diverse needs of students.”

Equipped with interactive panels, podcasting equipment, video production tools, and other digital media resources, the studio enables students and faculty to explore innovative teaching methods and engage in hands-on technology experiences.

“The Higginbotham family’s support for the Create Studio reflects a shared commitment to innovation, collaboration, and the transformative power of technology in education,” Dr. Don Schillinger, associate professor in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Leadership, said “Their investment empowers educators and students to push the boundaries of creativity, develop dynamic instructional content, and enhance the teaching and learning experience through cutting-edge technology.”

With the Higginbotham family’s support, CEHS continues to advance its mission of preparing educators and researchers with the tools they need to explore and enhance the human experience.

“This is a great opportunity for our students to continue to learn with the latest technologies and experiences,” Dr. Henrietta Pichon, dean of CEHS, said. “We are so appreciative for the continued support in helping our programs remain exemplary learning communities. We know that we could not make these opportunities happen without generous gifts such as this one.”

For more information about the Higginbotham Create Studio and the Emergent Learning Research Institute, visit here.