The Scaling Partnerships and External Collaborations through Industry-Aligned Learning (SPECIAL) project will enhance the capacity of five collaborating institutions for developing and maintaining workforce development-focused external partnerships that span a range of emerging technologies. EPIIC funding will be used to address a range of capacity-building needs. These include but are not limited to on- and off-campus physical spaces to house events and initiatives that help strengthen and scale external partnerships, and technical assets that improve partnership-building processes and procedures.
Additionally, EPIIC funding will support cohort-wide activities that foster collaboration between member institutions as well as sustainable industry-academic partnerships. These activities will include annual retreats that provide opportunities for knowledge sharing as well as jointly sponsored industry-focused special events that take place in an institution’s home region. This project will advance the knowledge and practice of how emerging research institutions which span both community colleges and comprehensive universities can effectively engage and collaborate to enhance key technology sectors within their regional economies to promote economic growth and opportunity, global STEM competitiveness, and national security. The cohort anticipates significant enhancements across all levels of partnership engagement and industry relations. Institutional evaluation plans will provide opportunities for real-time adjustments to be made during the award period. Key metrics will include the number of external partners, number of collaborative projects, number of participants, number of events, and participant survey feedback.
At the conclusion of the EPIIC program the participating institutions will increase competencies, capital, and confidence needed to fully participate in the regional innovation economy. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Houston Community College
Houston Community College is using its EPIIC SPECIAL award to expand workforce-focused industry partnerships across the Greater Houston region, with a focus on emerging-technology sectors. HCC is investing in on- and off-campus spaces for partnership events, technical tools that streamline partnership-building, and joint industry events with peer SPECIAL institutions, strengthening the college's role in Houston's regional innovation economy.
Maricopa County Community College District
The Maricopa County Community College District is leveraging its EPIIC SPECIAL award to grow workforce-focused industry partnerships across metro Phoenix and central Arizona. The district is investing in on- and off-campus spaces for partnership events, technical tools that improve partnership-building, and shared industry events with peer SPECIAL institutions, deepening its colleges' role in Arizona's emerging-technology workforce development.
Research Foundation of the State University of New York
The Research Foundation of the State University of New York administers this EPIIC SPECIAL award on behalf of SUNY Geneseo. The public liberal arts college is using the funding to grow workforce-focused industry partnerships across western New York, investing in dedicated spaces for partnership events, technical tools that streamline partnership-building, and joint industry events with peer SPECIAL institutions.
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
SUNY Polytechnic Institute is using its EPIIC SPECIAL award to expand workforce-focused industry partnerships in emerging technologies across the Mohawk Valley and Capital Region. SUNY Poly is investing in physical spaces for partnership events, technical tools that streamline industry collaboration, and joint industry events with peer SPECIAL institutions, strengthening its leadership in semiconductor, nanotechnology, and advanced-manufacturing workforce development.
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is leveraging its EPIIC SPECIAL award to grow workforce-focused industry partnerships in emerging technologies across western Wisconsin and the Driftless region. UW-La Crosse is investing in partnership-event spaces, technical tools that streamline industry collaboration, and shared industry events with peer SPECIAL institutions, strengthening the university's contribution to the regional innovation economy.
