Eighteen faculty, staff and students from various departments across campus worked together to drive WVU to recently be named an “Innovation and Economic Prosperity University.”
The designation came from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, a research, policy and advocacy organization advancing the work of public universities in North America. WVU is one of just more than 80 higher education institutions to receive the distinction.
The University began the application process — a rigorous self-assessment of its work around innovation, community development and economic engagement — in early 2022.
Leaders of the WVU-IEP team said the designation would not have happened without faculty and staff reaching across their areas with the common goal of reinforcing, evolving and celebrating the University’s land-grant mission.
The team that worked on the University’s application included:
• Jorge Atiles, dean of Extension and Engagement
• Hannah Bailey, data analyst with Data Driven WV in the John Chambers College of Business and Economics
• Kimberly Becker, director of communications with the Office of the Provost
• Katie Farmer, communications director and marketing strategist with the Office of the Provost
• Anne Jones, director of entrepreneurship for Startup WV and business advisor for the Morris L. Hayhurst LaunchLab
• Joshua Meadows, director of Data Driven WV and service assistant professor of Management Information Systems in the John Chambers College of Business and Economics
• Zachary Morris, former graduate assistant with WVU Corporate Relations
• Erienne Olesh, executive director of student and faculty innovation in the Research Office
• Melissa Olfert, associate professor of human nutrition and foods in the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
• Melanie Page, associate vice president for creative and scholarly activity in the Research Office
• Lauren Prinzo, WVU Extension specialist, Community and Economic Development
• Priscila Santos, director of the West Virginia Grant Resource Centers — WVU Office, and research scholar with Startup West Virginia
• David Satterfield, director of asset development in the Research Office
• Denis Scott, WVU Extension specialist, Community Engagement and Global Awareness
• Nathan Sorber, director of the School of Education, senior scholar with the Center for the Future of Land-Grant Education, and associate professor of higher education in the College of Applied Human Sciences
• Jack Thompson, director, Corporate Relations
• Elizabeth Vitullo, assistant dean for strategic initiatives, program coordinator for Healthcare MBA in the John Chambers College of Business and Economics, and assistant vice president for economic innovation
• Kristi Wood-Turner, assistant dean of community engagement and director of the Center for Community Engagement
Members of the team said they believe the designation will further refine and improve the University’s economic engagement and purpose as a community partner.
Jones and Prinzo led the team tasked with identifying achievements for the application. The team focused on achievements that fell under education, health care and prosperity.
“We had people coming from different areas and points of view,” Jones said. “It was fascinating to realize how many different areas WVU touches and learn how each of us saw the University’s achievements through different lenses. In all activities, we view ourselves as a catalyst for change and growth, an honest broker that brings its expertise to bear for the good of the state.”
Page outlined the following accomplishments:
• Accomplishment 1: Enhancing education by developing a qualified workforce to match future economic growth and innovation in the state,
• Accomplishment 2: Increasing access to health care for all West Virginians through the development of a network of qualified providers, world-class facilities, and cutting-edge research,
• Accomplishment 3: Harnessing institutional activities towards prosperity for all — defining prosperity very broadly — from financial security to mental and physical health, to being hopeful and living a meaningful life.
Satterfield said his role in the IEP process involved providing information on WVU support of local and regional economies. WVU is a key player in small and medium manufacturing, in particular through its Industrial Extension Program.
To further illustrate the University’s entrepreneurial outreach, Olesh collected data and information on the National Science Foundation I-Corps program at WVU. I-Corps provides free innovation and entrepreneurial training to the entire state of West Virginia.
Olesh also applauded the work of Santos and Vitullo, who were charged with coordinating the application, serving as liaisons and keeping ahead of deadlines.
APLU announced the news in September after an independent panel reviewed the WVU application. The process also involved internal and external stakeholder input.
The designation will help broaden the University’s opportunities for talent and workforce development, innovation and entrepreneurship, and public service and community engagement.
“The diversification and growth of new opportunities for our citizens is primary in the work of West Virginia University,” the report stated. “To drive this change, we have organized our work under our main pillars as we seek to vigorously promote greater prosperity and a reinvigoration of West Virginia’s economy.
“Through our self-assessment, we found that, overall, our stakeholders believe we take having an impact seriously, but are mixed on how well we execute various aspects of that mission. This process has given us the opportunity to reflect on accomplishments and identify opportunities for growth.”
Read the original story on WVUToday.
If you are interested in helping, reach out to Melanie Page at mcpage@mail.wvu.edu.