This project is a collaboration between Jefferson College (MO) and Ohlone College (CA). By increasing institutional capacity, this project will allow community colleges to expand their reach to the research and collaborative opportunities of the emerging innovation ecosystem, which has been out of their scope to date. To enable research development, Ohlone College and Jefferson College are working together to create the capacity infrastructure that will help their institutions and other similar institutions to support further engagement and attainment of extramural research funding in research and innovation. Because the partnerships between educational institutions, industry, and other organizations in the innovation ecosystem will be unique for each locale, the developed workforce model can potentially be adapted for customized collaborations that strengthen regional innovation ecosystems.
This collaboration has the following infrastructure and capacity building goals:
building and strengthening a grants and sponsored research infrastructure including training faculty in grant exploration and development,
developing and expanding relationships with industry and educational partners, and
establishing research pathways with 4-year college and university partners to create inter-institutional undergraduate research opportunities.
The capacity building infrastructure for Jefferson College will include implementing a robust grants management system, bolstering industry connections through business and industry leadership team (BILT) mechanisms, and developing research training pathways with 4-year research institutions. For Ohlone, this will consist of branding the biotech program to better attract local partners, increasing research capacity for partnerships with industry, community, and educational partners, and developing a strategic plan for recruitment and retention of a diverse student body and future biotechnology workforce. The best practice sponsored research toolbox developed by this project could be shared with other community colleges as a template across the state and nationally.
Jefferson College
Jefferson College is using its EPIIC funding to expand its grants and sponsored research infrastructure and build stronger ties with industry and four-year research institutions. As part of the CAREERS Workforce collaboration, Jefferson College will implement a robust grants management system, establish research pathways, and strengthen its regional workforce development efforts. These initiatives aim to create new opportunities for students while enhancing the college’s role in Missouri’s growing innovation ecosystem.
Ohlone College
Ohlone College is leveraging its EPIIC grant to enhance its biotech program, expand research capacity, and strengthen regional innovation partnerships. Through its collaboration with Jefferson College, Ohlone will build strategic industry and educational connections while developing a framework for recruiting and retaining a diverse STEM workforce. These efforts will empower students, faculty, and industry partners to contribute to a dynamic regional economy rooted in creativity, research, and entrepreneurship.