Leaders in Innovative Thought (LIT)
“Creative curiosity can take you anywhere”
In the hustle and bustle of the modern world it can be easy to get put in a box, but we as humans are naturally built for outside-the-box thinking. Regardless of your major or concentration of study, you have a unique perspective that just may be the key to solving problems in the world you don’t even know exist right now. Learning to leverage your unique talents, gifts, and perspectives is the key to solving pains in the world, and doing so collaboratively unlocks new heights of problem-solving ability. Leaders in Innovative Thought (LIT) was created in 2026 to help students unlock this creative potential in themselves.
Through exciting, experiential events, programs, and competitions, LIT instills creative confidence in Maroons everywhere. Whether you are pitching your latest idea at an elevator pitch competition, building a prototype of a new product to bring to market with the assistance of expert coaching, or solving problems plaguing your local community, you’ll find resources to help you do so effectively at LIT. Students of all majors are welcomed and encouraged to participate in programming from LIT, where they will have the chance to take advantage of creative problem-solving skills they have developed in conjunction with their studies to help themselves and those in their community thrive.
Check out our calendar to learn more about what is going on at LIT!
Ongoing Opportunities
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Make-an-Impact Monday
Make-an-Impact Monday is a weekly gathering of innovative thinkers who come together to brainstorm creative solutions to real world problems. Each Monday, we will hear from a member of our local community, who will share a bit about what they do in their daily work and then present a problem that they are facing in doing this work. After students learn about the problem, they will be tasked with brainstorming potential solutions in an environment that encourages outside-the-box thinking!
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Try Something Tuesday
Try Something Tuesday is a weekly gathering that encourages students to view the world through a new lens each week as they try a new activity or hobby. Each week, we’ll come together to learn about a new activity that someone in our community is passionate about. One week we might discuss 3D printing and actually try our hand at printing something we design. The next week we might talk about dying yarn for knitting. The idea is to unlock new pathways in your brain, where you can connect the dots between things you are familiar with and the new things you are learning to unlock new potential outcomes.
Upcoming Opportunities
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Elevator Pitch Competition
A new Elevator Pitch Competition, launching in the fall of 2026, will challenge students to present a novel idea of theirs in 2 minutes using only their voice. There will be no props, slides, or prototypes of any kind, and students will be scored based on their ability to convince the judging panel that they deserve a second meeting to discuss their idea in more depth. Students will learn the art of crafting a succinct and informative pitch that catches the attention of the judges while also building their confidence in their ability to present and think innovatively. Ideas can be of any nature, and students who enter will submit their video pitch in a virtual first round. A panel of judges will score each pitch, with the top scoring pitches advancing to a live, in-person final round where prizes for first, second, and third place will be awarded.
More information about the Elevator Pitch Competition will be available in the Fall of 2026.
Meet the Director
Logan Hammerschmitt holds a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship. After founding 2 startups of his own and working in high tech entrepreneurship for 5 years, he returned to the academic world to coach student in creative problem solving and develop programs to help them thrive. As the Director of Leaders in Innovative Thought, Logan is excited to encourage students to leverage their unique perspectives to solve big problems.
Logan is an innovative thinker and self-proclaimed “big ideas guy” who has coached undergraduate student startups to the final round of multiple national collegiate startup competitions, with students under his mentorship securing over $45,000 in non-dilutive prize money and grants. Logan also volunteers as a Roanoke Regional Talent Ambassador with Get2KnowNoke, where he produces events and content to help others feel welcome in the region.