The Kummer College of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development is moving forward — fast.
With a new program launching, a STEM designation and a new master’s degree, Kummer College is expanding its impact and opportunities for students and faculty.
Collaborating with industry
One of the most hands-on examples of the Kummer College progress is the launch of Team Innovation Projects, a new initiative that connects S&T students and faculty directly to industry partners.
“A group of students and faculty members can work on projects for companies as if we’re part of the company, a hired consulting group or even an R&D team,” says Shou Wong, director of corporate partnerships and program leader. “The program will provide a high return on investment for all stakeholders.”
Students will gain real-world experience while networking with company employees; faculty will apply their expertise to industry problems; and companies will have access to a pool of talented students for potential employees while getting a cost-effective solution for their challenges.
A new designation
Kummer College is also enhancing academics to keep up with industry demands. One major step is the recent STEM designation for the MBA program, a change that opens new doors for students — especially those pursuing careers with a mix of business and technology.
“This differentiates S&T from other MBA programs across the state,” says Sarah Stanley, associate professor of business and information technology. “We believe this change will really help build our reputation, allow us to stand out in a crowded marketplace and grow enrollment.”
Achieving this status has many advantages.
“Our students will be able to graduate faster than before, which gives us a basis for differentiation and more of a reason to choose S&T for their MBA,” Stanley says. “We have also built in a little more flexibility, so the students will still get a broad base of courses but be able to have some choices to pursue their interests.”
The future of leadership
Complementing the MBA’s new STEM focus, Kummer College has introduced a new graduate degree designed for the future of leadership: a Master of Economics and Innovation.
This program combines technical expertise with economic analysis to prepare graduates for high-impact roles that drive sustainable growth.
“We will prepare students who are passionate about making an impact on society for leadership roles in high-impact careers, where they can help both the public and private sectors build innovative ecosystems that promote economic and community growth,” says Melody Lo, Steinmeyer Memorial Endowed Chair of Economics.
Existing job titles for graduates include innovation strategist, research and development manager, technology economist, economic or business development manager, and policy analyst. The average mid-career salary for these positions is over $100,000.