NC State Designated ‘Innovation & Economic Prosperity University’ by APLU

In recognition of a strong commitment to economic engagement, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) today designated North Carolina State University as an Innovation & Economic Prosperity University. The designation acknowledges universities working with public and private sector partners in their states and regions to support economic development through a variety of activities, including innovation and entrepreneurship, technology transfer, talent and workforce development, and community development.

NC State received the designation after conducting a thorough self-review with outside stakeholder input and subsequently submitting an application that went through a rigorous independent review process.

NC State and 13 other public institutions comprise the second annual class of Innovation & Economic Prosperity Universities: Georgia Institute of Technology, Indiana University, The Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, South Dakota State University, Texas Tech University, the University of Houston, the University of Illinois, the University of Massachusetts Boston, the University of Massachusetts Lowell, the University of Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech and Wayne State University.

“Public universities serve as economic engines for their local communities and states by conducting cutting-edge research to reach new breakthroughs, and by developing the talent to help existing businesses grow stronger and enabling new ones to develop and thrive,” APLU President Peter McPherson said. “The 14 institutions receiving the 2014 Innovation & Economic Prosperity University designation serve as models. They demonstrate how public research universities extend beyond their campuses to engage their communities in economic development that creates jobs and improves lives.”

“NC State is proud to be recognized by the APLU for our impact on economic development and fostering a culture of innovation that drives economic, societal and intellectual prosperity across North Carolina,” Chancellor Randy Woodson said. “Public land-grant universities are uniquely positioned to play vital roles in the growth and development of local communities. This prestigious designation opens up opportunities that will enable NC State to further strengthen our impact across the state.”

Innovation & Economic Prosperity University designees conducted an institutional self-study and solicited input from external stakeholders. Each university designee identified three areas of institutional strength in economic engagement, and described programs in these areas. Designees also identified areas for growth and improvement for their university’s economic engagement enterprise, and developed an improvement plan. This work demonstrated a commitment to continuous learning and improvement in this kind of engagement vital to universities and their regional partners.

NC State now qualifies to submit an application for APLU’s 2014 Innovation & Economic Prosperity University Awards, which will be given out at the association’s annual meeting in November.

APLU is a research, policy and advocacy organization representing 234 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems and affiliated organizations.  Founded in 1887, APLU is North America’s oldest higher education association with member institutions in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, four U.S. territories, Canada and Mexico. Annually, APLU member campuses enroll 4.7 million undergraduates and 1.3 million graduate students, award 1.1 million degrees, employ 1.3 million faculty and staff, and conduct $41 billion in university-based research.

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