APLU extends Charlotte’s ‘Innovation and Economic Prosperity’ designation

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities has extended UNC Charlotte’s designation as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity university for its continued commitment to regional economic development and community engagement. 

The designation recognizes universities that demonstrate a substantive, sustainable and institution-wide strategy for regional economic engagement, growth and opportunity.

“We are thankful to the APLU for continuing to recognize UNC Charlotte’s important role powering innovation and economic opportunity for the region,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “As we continue our ascent toward Carnegie R1 status, this presents a big opportunity for the University to grow in our role as a major economic engine and source of innovation for the Charlotte region.”

Charlotte has made significant advancement since first earning the IEP designation in 2017.

In 2021, the University unveiled “Shaping What’s Next,” a 10-year strategic plan with a new vision for the University as a Carnegie R1 university. Over the past three years, Charlotte has updated its organizational structure to support this goal and to grow innovation and economic development. This includes: 

• Reimagining the Office of Research and Economic Development as the Division of Research with new leadership and focus.
• Establishing urbanCORE, a hub for community-engaged scholarship. APLU will recognize the center’s Community Innovation Incubator initiative as an “exemplary project” at its Annual Meeting in November. 
• Establishing the Office of Economic Development under External Relations and Partnerships in 2023. This office works with University allies to support the recruitment and expansion of companies in the Charlotte region and beyond. 
• Aligning educational and outreach efforts through the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, part of the Belk College of Business. 
  

Panelists discuss economic and workforce development within the energy sector during a session at CLEANcarolinas inaugural conference in November in Raleigh. CLEANcarolinas is funded through the National Science Foundation’s Engines program.

Over the past decade, Charlotte’s research expenditures have increased 272%, and the University is projected to officially earn Carnegie R1 status, the nation’s highest research classification, in early 2025.

“As we completed the extension application this summer, it was gratifying to see the significant work that has been completed to elevate the University through translational and applied research, workforce development and community engagement,” said Greg Needham, senior executive director, Office of Research Commercialization & Partnerships in the Division of Research. “This shows how integral the University is to this fast-growing region we serve.”

In its IEP extension application, Charlotte noted several recent initiatives, including:

• The largest expansion of research centers in University history through the Ignite program. The Division of Research provided two-year funding for 12 pilot research centers in 2023.
• Taking a leading role as one of four regional hubs for NCInnovation, a nonprofit organization designed to accelerate research, innovation and commercialization statewide.
• Launching CLEANcarolinas, funded through a $1 million National Science Foundation competitive Engines development grant. The initiative aims to support economic growth in the region through energy innovations. 
• Partnering with the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Centralina Regional Council and more than 25 industry, academic institutions to secure a U.S. EDA Tech Hubs strategy development grant to strengthen the region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize and deploy technology. 

“UNC Charlotte has made significant progress in influencing the region, but this is only the beginning,” said Patrick Lucitt, manager of economic development partnerships. “UNC Charlotte’s growing research portfolio will open the door to new partnerships and fuel innovations and discoveries for the broader Charlotte Region.”

As an extended IEP designee, UNC Charlotte will continue to share best practices and learn from other institutions in the IEP network. The University will also be eligible to apply for the annual IEP Awards, which celebrate excellence in economic engagement.

The APLU is a research, policy, and advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing the work of public universities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The APLU’s Commission on Economic and Community Engagement established the IEP program in 2013 to help higher education institutions strengthen their strategy and practices in economic and community development.

Charlotte’s designation team included Greg Needham; Betty Doster, special assistant to the chancellor for External Relations and Partnerships; Patrick Lucitt, manager of economic development partnerships; Deb Thomas, associate vice chancellor for research; and Byron White, associate provost for urban research and community engagement.

UNC Charlotte’s APLU IEP designation is through 2028.

A delegation of Taiwanese electric vehicle executives tour UNC Charlotte’s BATT CAVE in May 2023 as part of a regional tour organized through the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina and the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.