OSU named 'Innovation and Economic Prosperity University' by Association of Public and Land-grant Universities

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Media Contact: Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations | 405-744-5540 | [email protected]

Oklahoma State University has earned the designation of Innovation and Economic Prosperity University from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities in recognition of its commitment to economic engagement.

OSU joins a select group of fewer than 100 education institutions designated as IEP universities. The designation acknowledges public research universities that have demonstrated dedication to supporting economic development in their states and regions. These institutions engage in a variety of activities that support innovation and entrepreneurship, technology transfer, talent and workforce development, and community development.

"OSU is honored to be designated an IEP university by the APLU," OSU President Kayse Shrum said. "This designation is a testament to our dedication to the land-grant mission. We continue to be at the forefront of innovation in many areas, from nourishing the world to advancing industry growth and innovation in aerospace, One Health, energy, agriculture and more. We are dedicated to finding solutions and empowering our students to become Ideal Graduateswith the knowledge and skills to address the needs of our communities, state and nation.

"As we continue to push the boundaries of innovation and workforce development, we will seek to identify other avenues where the expertise housed within OSU can make a decided impact far beyond our campus."

Leadership from across the OSU System conducted a rigorous self-study, identifying areas of institutional growth and strength and provided evidence to support those assertions. The application was then reviewed by the APLU's Commission on Economic and Community Engagement and a panel of reviewers representing other universities and regional and national partners.

"This achievement reflects the hard work of our Innovation Foundation team and collaboration across campus, particularly with OSU Global Studies and other partners, to showcase the strength of our economic engagement enterprise," said Elizabeth Pollard, CEO of The Innovation Foundation at OSU.

Scoring of applications considered criteria that included development of economic engagement enterprise, planning efforts around economic engagement, strategic communications around those efforts, and participation in encouraging economic engagement among peer institutions.

"These remarkable achievements reflect the bold direction OSU is charting for the future," said Elizabeth Pollard, CEO of The Innovation Foundation at OSU. "From advancing aerospace innovation, energy sustainability, to fostering entrepreneurship and strengthening rural economies, we are deeply committed to creating lasting impact through our creativity and collaboration. The Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation recognizes this commitment and positions OSU to unlock even greater opportunities. It will empower us to expand our collaborative efforts, attract new partnerships, and continue building an environment where creativity drives innovation and fuels economic prosperity."

The application process for the IEP designation, which began in 2018 but was delayed due to the pandemic, included submissions highlighting OSU's proven impact as a driver of innovation:

• Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education (OAIRE):Drives innovation in aerospace and defense, focusing on emerging technologies like autonomous systems and advanced manufacturing.
• LaunchPad Research Center: Specializes in advanced air mobility research and entrepreneurship, enhancing partnerships with industry and entrepreneurs.
• Cowboy Enterprises: Includes Cowboy Technologies LLC, Cowboy Innovation Accelerator, and the OSU Office of Technology Commercialization, fostering innovation and economic engagement.
• OSU New Product Development Center (NPDC): Supports job creation in rural communities by assisting manufacturers in developing and implementing innovative products.
• Tier 1 Research Initiatives: Encourage interdisciplinary research to address critical societal needs through various initiatives, such as the Microbiome Initiative and the Opioid Initiative.
• Fire Service Training (FST): Trains emergency responders across Oklahoma, significantly enhancing public safety and emergency management capabilities.
• OSU Center for Local Government Technology (CLGT): Provides resources and training to local governments, improving the expertise and efficiency of personnel in various sectors.
• Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center (FAPC): Contributes to Oklahoma's agricultural businesses, generating substantial revenue and providing numerous training events.
• Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service: Addresses local issues across all 77 counties, promoting leadership and managing resources effectively.
• OSU Center for Sovereign Nations: Facilitates tribal student success and partnerships with Oklahoma's tribal nations, achieving a high graduation rate and supporting grant applications.
• Innovation Park: Fosters economic development and collaboration between OSU and industry, providing facilities and services for technology-based startups.
• The McKnight Center for the Performing Arts:Offers transformative artistic experiences and learning.

As a key driver of workforce development and degree completion across Oklahoma, OSU Polytech plays a complementary role in expanding opportunities through innovative certification programs and industry-aligned initiatives.

"This aligns perfectly with the IEP designation's focus on fostering talent, innovation and economic growth throughout the state," said Kyle Wray, OSU senior vice president of system affairs. "It also makes us more competitive as a land-grant institution, highlighting and elevating OSU's impact in Oklahoma and beyond."

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