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Promote ºÚÁÏÍø’s Intellectual Capital to Benefit the Community and Region 

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Industry partners currently have many avenues for accessing HFCOE's intellectual capital, supporting student and faculty projects, and enlisting faculty and student assistance on technical issues and problems. However, these opportunities are often ad-hoc, and managed by a range of HFCOE players with undetermined results. 

An Industry Affiliates Program (IAP) would offer a clear gateway for companies and regional partners to explore broad research and project areas of common interest. An IAP would also provide a mechanism for creating dialogue between industry and academia. Having a clear and efficient process in place would allow industry partners to support student and faculty research and senior design projects, access resources in HFCOE's more than 100 labs, and secure assistance with technical issues. 

Supported by annual memberships, IAPs have proven effective at major universities in creating dialogue between industry and academia. IAPs allow industry to gain access to faculty and student expertise and facilities without having to pay overhead. 

Recommended Actions: 

• Create a HFCOE Industry Affiliates Program to fund and disseminate HFCOE research and student projects. 

Leverage Community Partner Expertise to Advance ºÚÁÏÍø’s Institutional Mission and Strategic Priorities 

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Demand for graduates in various engineering fields fluctuates as new technologies are harnessed to solve world problems. To keep our engineering curriculum cutting-edge, it’s imperative that HFCOE enlist advice from representatives from a wide range of industries. It’s equally imperative that HFCOE expand its Dean’s Advisory Council and Department Advisory Boards to enlist representatives from emerging fields. Such actions will ensure that the council and boards remain relevant for guiding actions and curriculum. 

HFCOE also needs to leverage key partnerships to secure naming opportunities for HFCOE and its programs, facilities, and awards. Securing naming opportunities, a practice in place at many major universities, would advance relationships with important community partners and further HFCOE's institutional mission and strategic priorities. 

Recommended Actions: 

• Expand the Dean’s Advisory Council and Department Advisory Boards to match anticipated growth areas. 

• Secure endowment and naming opportunities for the HFCOE and its programs, facilities, scholarships, and awards.