Hello! We are Team Baker Ripley– a team of Rice University undergraduate students working with Rice’s chapter of Design for America (DFA) to encourage senior holistic wellness.Our team eagerly took on this case assignment with Baker Ripley. This local nonprofit works hard to foster healthy aging for Houston seniors through a range of programs. Their programs vary from center to center, but could be any of the following: a noon-time meal, fitness classes, health education, arts and crafts, volunteer opportunities, and other educational presentations. 

 

Meet our team members!

Chloe Singer is a junior at Duncan College majoring in Social Policy Analysis and Sport Management. She is the Team Lead of our project, meaning she is responsible for facilitating team discussions and being a liaison with the Community Partner (CP).  This is her fifth semester in DFA

Walsh Klineberg is a junior at Jones College, studying Business on the management track. This is his second semester working with DFA.

Melody Dao is a sophomore at Will Rice College majoring in Business with a management concentration. After taking a Design Thinking class her freshman year, Melody is curious to continue exploring the potentials of problem solving through human centered design and is enthusiastic to expand her knowledge through real world applications with DFA projects. This is her first semester with DFA. 

Bryan Ibarra is a freshman at Lovett College majoring in Chemical Engineering. He joined DFA because… This is his first semester with DFA.

Vivian Lin is a freshman at Wiess College, studying Business with a management concentration. She joined DFA because she wants hands-on experience in human centered design and to immerse herself in the Houston community. This is her first semester with DFA.

 

Many members of our group find that senior social participation challenges are often overlooked and hope to be a part of the solution that can encourage more seniors to pursue holistic wellness. Additionally, many from our team are close to their grandparents, further inspiring us to take on this project because we want our grandparents and all seniors to enjoy happy, healthy lives.