IEP Stakeholder Programs

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A Venn diagram showing where three circles labelled Talent, Innovation and Place meet.

Human capital and talent development
Research and innovation in science, technology, public policy, humanities and social realms
Stewardship of place

Through active and effective programs in all three realms, we achieve what the APLU calls "high-impact economic engagement."

View program examples that relate to economic and community engagement. Lists are not exhaustive.

Talent: Cradle-to-Grave Human Capital and Talent Development

Definition

Talent development includes the spectrum of knowledge transfer activities by which universities educate people, developing human capital for the 21st century Knowledge Economy.

Program Examples

21st Century Skills / Core Competencies for Functioning in Careers and Civic Life (Ex: Critical thinking, communication skills, leaderships, and relationship-building skills (networking), negotiation and persuasion skills, public speaking skills, management skills, mentorship, citizenship, cultural sensitivities (across generations, gender, social, communities, race, ethnicities)
Degree programs in the arts and sciences, arts and culture, humanities and social sciences
Professional degree programs
Experiential Education and Discovery-Based Learning Programs (Ex: Internships/apprenticeships, Residencies, Post-doctoral fellowships, service learning, international and cross-cultural programs, senior design / capstone projects, undergraduate research, leadership development)
Programs that align curricula to industry and employer needs (Ex: competency maps, technical training, certification programs, multidisciplinary degree programs, vocational training / trade studies, such as coding boot camps, professional development “short” courses)
Pre-K–12 education and outreach programs
Adult education programs
Faculty training / development for engagement (Ex: inter-disciplinary research and engagement, community-engaged research and scholarship, university-industry demonstration partnership).

Innovation: Research, Creative Works, Problem-solving and Entrepreneurship

Definition

Innovation begins with basic research, but then builds on knowledge creation to encompass knowledge transfer and application in ways that are useful and relevant to society.

Program Examples

Basic research
Use-inspired research/development (applied, translational, problem-oriented, industry-contracted)
Clinical programs
Local capacity to support innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development, including structures, policies, programs and resources (“innovation systems”)
Regional industry cluster development
Cooperative extension service (agriculture, engineering) and agricultural research services/experiment stations
Technical assistance services/programs (Ex: Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), University-based Economic Development Centers, Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, Manufacturing Extension Partnerships, Legal clinics offering free or reduced cost services for entrepreneurs, Materials and technology testing labs and prototyping services, Faculty technical assistance / consulting programs)
Proof-of-concept programs/centers (Ex: product development, comparison and testing, prototyping, experiment analysis, market and product viability research and positioning/strategy)
Tech transfer and commercialization
Business formation, incubation, and acceleration
Access to capital (Ex: Proof of concept and gap funds, angel and seed funds, state and federal seed funds, e.g., SBIR / STTR, venture capital funds)
Business plan competitions
Entrepreneurship education and development programs for faculty, students, staff and the community
Networking events – pulling of industry and pushing of faculty and students
Programs that support innovation (Ex: Collaborative research labs and other co-working spaces, shared major equipment/instruments, incubators and accelerators, research and technology parks)

Place: Community-Connected Institutions and Stewardship for Vibrant Communities

Definition

Place is defined as the many and diverse ways in which institutions contribute to making attractive, competitive communities—places where people want to live; create and take jobs; raise their families; participate in civic life; and age and retire.

Program Examples

Programs that enhance quality in Pre-K–12 schools
Health care facilities and wellness programs
Arts and cultural amenities
Sports and recreation amenities
Environmental sustainability efforts
Community development programs
Real estate and urban development / redevelopment / renewal
Rural development
Employment and career opportunities for the community, often as a major employer
Local government training / leadership programs
Public policy analysis
Infrastructure (directly or indirectly supported by a higher education institution that may include broadband, public transportation or alternative energy)