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IEP Stakeholder Programs

WVU can enhance the competitiveness of West Virginia communities and our region through many diverse programs, services and activities that can span the realms of:

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.

Program Examples

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)