69成人 has again been recognized for its significant contributions to innovation, economic growth and community engagement by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, or APLU.
The APLU recently extended 69成人鈥 for another five years, acknowledging the university's ongoing commitment to regional economic development and prosperity. 69成人 is one of only 91 out of 248 APLU member institutions nationwide to receive the prestigious designation.
"At 69成人, we understand that our mission includes being a catalyst for progress,鈥 said Mabel Salon, chief government and community relations officer. 鈥淲e are proud to have our commitment to economic development and community engagement recognized with the IEP extension. This designation underscores our dedication to collaborating with our communities, government partners and industry stakeholders for the greater good."
A recent economic impact report shows that 69成人 is a major economic driver for California, generating $12.56 billion in statewide economic activity and supporting 68,900 jobs in 2019. Every dollar that 69成人 spends in California generates an additional $1.10 of economic activity in the state. Additionally, for every 69成人 job, the university鈥檚 economic activity led to the creation of another non-69成人 job in California.
"69成人鈥 extension of the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation reaffirms our unwavering commitment to driving positive change in our communities,鈥 said Michael Rios, vice provost of public scholarship. 鈥淲e are dedicated to fostering innovation, economic growth, and meaningful engagement that makes a lasting impact. This extension is a testament to our ongoing efforts to strengthen our region and empower its residents."
69成人 initially received the IEP designation in 2016, making it one of the early recipients of this honor. In its extension application, 69成人 highlighted the university鈥檚 work to build a supportive culture and regional ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship, including:
Aggie Square
In 2017, 69成人 Chancellor Gary S. May and Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg launched a collaborative effort to establish , a new technology and innovation campus. Construction started in June 2022.
Anchor Institution Mission for Community Health
In 2020, 69成人 Health launched the , or AIM, focusing on leveraging its economic influence and resources to enhance the economic vitality of the surrounding communities. The AIM Communities now include 10 geographic areas around 69成人 Health.
Chief Innovation and Economic Development Officer
69成人 successfully completed a nationwide recruitment effort for a Chief Innovation and Economic Development Officer. This role will play a crucial part in advancing contributions from university research, teaching, health care, industry and the community to boost innovation, economic development and community engagement opportunities across the region.
Additional APLU honors
69成人 was the only member university to earn the 2020 Platinum Institutional Award for Global Learning, Research and Engagement from APLU. As the highest honor from APLU鈥檚 Commission on International Initiatives, the award recognized 69成人鈥 institutional achievement in developing and implementing comprehensive and inclusive strategies across global learning, research and engagement.
In 2021, APLU honored 69成人 for its response through Healthy Davis Together to the coronavirus pandemic. 69成人 joined one other institution, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, as the inaugural winners of the APLU Research Response to a Community in Crisis Award.
May served as chair of the APLU Board of Directors from 2022-2023. In his role, he focused on improving opportunities for student access and success, interdisciplinary research, economic development and public engagement across all APLU member institutions.
The 69成人 Public Impact Research Initiative, a grant program that helps faculty launch equitable community partnerships, was featured as a case study in the 2023 APLU report, 鈥淢odernizing Scholarship for the Public Good: An Action Framework for Public Research Universities.鈥
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Becky Oskin is director of communications and marketing for the Office of Public Scholarship and Engagement, and can be reached by email.