South Middlesex Times

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) has designated Rutgers University–New Brunswick as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University, acknowledging its significant commitment to economic engagement in the region.

This national designation underscores Rutgers' role as an economic catalyst through academic initiatives, pioneering research, and community outreach programs. These efforts include business incubators that have launched numerous startups, technologies addressing agricultural challenges, and the university’s involvement in the New Jersey Health and Life Science Exchange (HELIX) in downtown New Brunswick.

Rutgers–New Brunswick now joins approximately 80 higher education institutions across the country holding this designation.

“For an institution that prides itself in leading innovative programs that benefit so many partners—communities, industries, and government, to name just a few—this APLU recognition is a great point of pride,” said Rutgers–New Brunswick Chancellor Francine Conway. “It encourages us to take on ever-greater challenges that will benefit the public good.”

Valid for five years with renewal eligibility, the designation allows Rutgers–New Brunswick to apply for additional Innovation and Economic Prosperity University awards. These awards commend exceptional economic engagement initiatives, potentially securing more resources for advancing the university's economic development endeavors.

Rutgers-New Brunswick received this honor after an independent panel assessed its application. The process included an internal review of economic engagement activities and input from external audiences. The comprehensive self-study identified areas of strength and developed a growth plan.

"Much of the interdisciplinary work within our community and with other stakeholders has led to impactful initiatives across the region," said Peggy Brennan-Tonetta, director of resource and economic development at Rutgers’ New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

She added that the “process has been instrumental in assessing our community engagement, innovation and talent development efforts... By engaging with internal and external audiences, we continue to assess strengths and areas for improvement in measuring and communicating our economic impact."

The self-study included surveys, focus groups, and interviews focused on economic engagement revealing key strengths at the university:

- The Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT), recognized by the U.S. Department of Transportation as a “Beyond Traffic Innovation Center,” addresses infrastructure challenges through research.

- The Food Innovation Center supports over 3,500 food startups with FDA- and USDA-certified expertise.

- The Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center trains special education professionals for working with individuals with autism.

- The Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship Academy engages undergraduates in entrepreneurial thinking.

- The New Jersey Small Business Development Centers at Rutgers Business Schools facilitated $1.95 billion in sales revenues in 2023.

- Rutgers Cooperative Extension leads New Jersey's largest community engagement program.

Other achievements include energy-efficient materials developed at the School of Engineering and climate-resistant crops researched at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.

The designation aligns with academic initiatives launched by Conway to enhance economic engagement. One such effort is the Chancellor Challenge which invites innovative ideas from the Rutgers community supporting exploration and collaboration.

Another initiative is the Life Sciences Alliance task force developing a strategic framework for STEM research focusing on life sciences to promote interdisciplinary collaborations.

“There is much work ahead, but this milestone advances our economic development and community engagement efforts,” said Jacqueline McGlynn, director of administration in the Office of the Chancellor. “This designation process has enhanced understanding of knowledge generation...and its economic impacts.”

To capitalize on growth opportunities, an accessible website will be developed hosting an interactive innovation database highlighting activities identified through self-study.

One method used by self-study was a "World Café," designed to generate ideas from both internal stakeholders and external audiences. Starting in 2022, Brennan-Tonetta led efforts involving faculty, staff students administrators capturing campus-wide efforts toward this designation.

Applications are reviewed by a panel including representatives from other universities convened by APLU’s Commission on Economic Engagement focusing on how well universities incorporate talent innovation place into planning strategic communications encouraging peers' economic engagement.

“Economic development is a major pillar of universities’ work,” said Mark Becker president APLU.“From talent development groundbreaking research entrepreneurship beyond institutions have central role... We’re pleased recognize Rutgers University-New Brunswick commitment engaging its community around these issues advance regional economic development.”

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