UNLV + Radical Innovation: A Partnership Shaping the Future of Hospitality Design
When Yasmin Solimon submitted her design concept Adaptive Balloons to the Radical Innovation student competition in 2015, she had no idea it would change the course of her career. Her bold idea earned her first place—and with it, an opportunity that would launch her into the world of hospitality design.
“Since 2015, my life has never been the same,” Solimon shares. “I left home, earned my master’s degree with a scholarship from UNLV, and had my thesis shortlisted for another global design challenge. I met people I never imagined I’d have access to. Radical Innovation was the door that opened all of this to me.”
Yasmin pursued a Master of Architecture with a Hospitality Design Concentration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas—one of Radical Innovation’s founding university partners. Today, she is a Designer III at Cooper Carry, Global Architecture and Design. Her story is one of many that illustrates the power of Radical Innovation’s educational partnerships—and the role UNLV plays in shaping the next generation of hospitality leaders.
Radical Innovation exists to uncover ideas that will revolutionize the future of hospitality. A key part of that mission is identifying emerging talent through student categories. By engaging students, the program not only showcases visionary concepts but also supports their long-term growth and professional development.
To explore this impact further, the Radical team sat down with Glenn NP Nowak, a longtime supporter and dedicated Advisory Board member. Nowak, is an Associate Professor of Architecture and the founder and coordinator of the Hospitality Design (HD) Concentration at the UNLV School of Architecture —one of the only programs of its kind in the world. As a longstanding educational partner, UNLV has been instrumental in the development of student winners.
The idea to integrate an educational component into the student prize came from Nowak himself.
“As an educator, I’m always interested in seeing how far these students want to take their ideas. If they had the opportunity, would they choose to attend UNLV?” says Nowak. “That’s what I approached John Hardy about—how could the UNLV program support Radical? How could we foster the next generation of hospitality design professionals?”
From that conversation, the Educational Partnership component of Radical Innovation was born. Over the years, student winners have leveraged this opportunity to further their education and build the foundation for lasting careers.
Today, the Student Project winner receives $5,000 and the opportunity to apply for an assistantship and full scholarship from one of three university partners. The Student Product winner receives $2,500 and the opportunity to attend The Makerspace at Black Fire Innovation, an invitation-only resource from UNLV’s Office of Economic Development.
In addition to Solimon, Osarodion “Victory” Igbinobaro is another standout UNLV student who turned his Radical Innovation experience into a career. At the 2022 ceremony, Victory received the Special Judge’s Award for his project Urban Air Mobility. With feedback from the jury and continued mentorship, he transformed his winning concept into a company: AERO AI, which delivers aerial data and geospatial intelligence to architecture, engineering, construction firms, cities, and utilities. Today, The Hardy Group is actively utilizing AERO AI’s drone technology on several upcoming projects—proof of how Radical Innovation continues to foster real-world impact.
UNLV School of Architecture has consistently fostered student success within the competition. Brandan Siebrecht and Juan Orduz, both former winners, gained early recognition at Radical Innovation and used the experience as a stepping stone for successful careers in design and development.
The collaboration between Radical Innovation and its Educational Partners plays a vital role in shaping the next generation of hospitality design leaders. Through industry exposure, scholarship, and real-world opportunities, student competitors have the chance to turn their innovative ideas into lasting and meaningful careers.
“One of the most valuable aspects of Radical Innovation is the exposure these emerging students receive,” says Nowak. “If you can show that you’ve got work published in even half of the outlets Radical has been featured in, it’s a huge feather in your cap.” Attending the Radical Innovation event in person also offers student winners a unique opportunity to network with industry leaders, innovators, and companies that could be the gateway to launching their careers.
Radical Innovation is proud to partner with three universities, University of Nevada Las Vegas, University of Illinois, and New York University. Click here to visit our Educational Partnerships page to learn more.