“Won’t you be our neighbor?”

The Maker Hub’s “Maker Neighbor” program is part of the Maker Hub’s efforts to engage with the diverse, talented community of non-Georgetown affiliated professionals, makers, and artists in the DC area, and connect Georgetown students with learning opportunities.

Recognizing the finite resources of the Maker Hub, but also the invaluable contribution that experienced makers can provide, the Neighbor program outlines a clear commitment that participants make in return for well-defined access to the Maker Hub.

Maker Neighbor Program

Eligibility Requirements

A Maker Hub Neighbor is:

Not currently a Georgetown student, staff, or faculty.
- May be an alum, parent, spouse, adult child of a GU staff, student, or faculty member, OR may have no affiliation with GU at all.
Has a skill or specialized knowledge that is of value to the Maker Hub Community.
A friendly person who works well with others and loves to share what they know.

Position Requirements

A Maker Hub Neighbor agrees to:

Volunteer for a weekly, scheduled 2-hour shift during the Maker Hub’s open hours, in which they will share their skills, mentor Maker Hub community members, and/or help with other duties as requested.
Document and share any other projects they develop in the Maker Hub outside of their scheduled shift.
Develop and lead at least one workshop per month, held during their scheduled shift.
Follow all Maker Hub rules and policies as presented on the Maker Hub website as well as the Maker Hub Volunteer Handbook.
Provide a Letter of Recommendation from someone who can speak to your skills, aptitudes, and ability to work in a collaborative setting.

Benefits

In return, a Maker Hub Neighbor will receive a personal keycode for accessing the Maker Hub during and outside of open hours. This allows a Neighbor to access the equipment and supplies in the Maker Hub whenever Lauinger Library is open.

Please note that Neighbors are expected to use Maker Hub free consumable supplies only for one-offs and prototype development. Heavy use of consumables requires the purchase of personal supplies.

Application

Send an email to makerhub@georgetown.edu to express your interest
Fill out the Maker Hub Neighbor Application

Note

If an application is accepted, the Neighbor must submit to a background check (fee of $30-$100 to be paid by applicant)
Successful applicants will be brought on for a 30 day trial period, after which membership may be extended
Maker Neighbors may re-apply to the program at the discretion of Maker Hub management.
Maker Hub Management reserves the right to discontinue a Maker Neighbor’s participation in the program at any time, for any reason.
Maker Neighbors may withdraw from the program at any time for any or no reason, with no penalty.

Maker Hub Priorities and Themes:

Georgetown University Curriculum engagement
Outreach (Getting off the Hill)
- Developing maker experiences that can be delivered outside the Maker Hub, in communities that need them.
“Making for Good”
- Makerspaces and Maker activities for social impact, social justice, equality, peace, and global human development.
Sustainability and environmental technologies
Upcycling
Libraries, books, and print-making

Some of the Skills we are looking for:

Woodworking
Physical Computing with Arduino and Raspberry Pi
3D Modelling and 3D Printing
Sewing, Serging, and Digital Embroidery
Print Making
Adobe Illustrator and Laser Cutting

Current Maker Neighbors

Gavin Fritsch

Gavin works in the energy industry as a wholesale power analyst and holds a degree in mathematical economics from the University of Richmond. In Georgetown’s Maker Hub, Gavin is excited to collaborate with students on woodworking, electronics, 3d modeling & printing, and Raspberry Pi / Arduino related projects.

Thursday 3-5pm

Lauren Emeritz

Lauren Emeritz is a graphic designer, letterpress printer, and book artist. In 2016, the Library of Congress’ Rare Books and Special Collections Division acquired her book, “Hand Carved Alphabet.” She is the President and Creative Director of Abstract Orange, a graphic design firm in Washington, DC, and a letterpress associate at Pyramid Atlantic Art Center in Hyattsville, Maryland, where she teaches letterpress printing and design. You can see more of her work at abstractorange.com.

Max Werner

Max is an experienced maker and educator with a background in tutoring and managing creative spaces. He enjoys leading workshops and instructing students of all skill levels in the art of making. With experience teaching and designing an Industrial Design course at RISD, Max is passionate about sharing the fundamentals of industrial design and fabrication. His skills range from woodworking, laser cutting, and 3D modeling to biomaterials, mold, and zine making.

Tuesday 3-5pm

Noah Martin

Noah Martin is a Senior Program Designer in the Red House. In his spare time, Noah is the founder and creative director of FM-31, a social goods company started in D.C that makes high quality, handcrafted creative tools inspired by social justice issues. Through this work, Noah both maintains an active cradle to grave printshop and teaches bookbinding workshops throughout D.C.