Panel: Tommy Smeltzer (1138) 

Key Takeaway: Being intentional with designed messaging can create a consistent culture of belonging for students.

A fun, inclusive and inspirational team culture can pay off with greater engagement, improved retention, and a more meaningful experience for your students. But how can you cultivate a student’s emotional bond to the team quickly enough for it to have an impact? In this presentation, you’ll learn how you can employ a few good stories and simple branding techniques to create an identity-driven team culture that gives students a consistent and reliable space for unity and belonging.

About the Presenter:

Tommy Smeltzer has been lead mentor of Team 1138 since 2012. However, prior to going all-in on FIRST, his education and professional career was writing, producing and performing in the world of advertising, with a focus on impactful storytelling. He has since applied those skills to creating a culture within Eagle Engineering that consistently provides students an experience that means more than the wins or losses, and has helped them become a flagship program at their school.