One of only six public universities in the nation to receive designation from APLU in 2016

In recognition of its strong commitment to economic engagement, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) today designated Cleveland State University as an Innovation & Economic Prosperity (IEP) University. It acknowledges public research 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. 

“CSU has long made innovation, economic development and community investment key university priorities,” notes Cleveland State President Ronald M. Berkman. “The IEP designation highlights the tremendous success we have had in promoting workforce development, entrepreneurship and technology transfer, while also illustrating the significant impact colleges and universities can have in community development and revival.”

“Public research universities such as Cleveland State serve as economic engines for their local communities and states by conducting cutting-edge research that yields breakthroughs that improve life well beyond the confines of campus,” said APLU President Peter McPherson. “Equally important, these institutions cultivate the talent necessary to help fledgling business take flight and ensure existing enterprises have the human capital they need to maintain their dynamism.”

The APLU designation cited CSU for its focus on connecting students’ academic work with community priorities, the economy, and their own career objectives, while also promoting research and education programs with significant community and economic benefit. Examples include: numerous government and company partnerships, including with Parker Hannifin and NASA’s John Glenn Research Center, a multidisciplinary and collaborative focus on the region’s urban health workforce, through the NEOMED-CSU Partnership for Urban Health, and educational and research collaborations with the Cleveland Clinic and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

CSU also serves as the business development, technology transfer and industry outreach hub to the Ohio Federal Research Network’s technical Centers of Excellence and houses Northeast Ohio’s Small Business Development Center and International Trade Assistance Center. According to a report by the Center for Economic Development CSU currently contributes over $680 million and 6,700 jobs to the Greater Cleveland economy.

“Over the last decade, Cleveland State has made significant strides in growing our research enterprise with a dual focus on cutting-edge, basic research and high value-add applied research in partnership with companies throughout the region.” adds Jerzy T. Sawicki, CSU Vice President for Research. “Moving forward, we will seek to further our efforts to conduct research, innovation and technology transfer initiatives that have a significant impact on the economy and society as a whole.”

For more information about the university’s innovation activities visit http://www.csuohio.edu/innovation.

CSU is one of only six public schools designated nationally as an IEP university in 2016. Applications were evaluated by a panel of reviewers representing other universities and regional and national partners, including the Association of University Research Parks, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization and the Kauffman Foundation. Scoring was based on a range of criteria emphasizing universities’ development of their economic engagement enterprise, their planning efforts around economic engagement, strategic communications around these efforts, and participation in encouraging economic engagement among peer institutions.

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