October 18, 2023
Operational excellence in tech transfer, commercialization, corporate engagement and economic development
The Next-Gen K-State strategic plan calls for us to refine and optimize how this university propels our land-grant mission forward. In addition to the plans we shared earlier this month for fully leveraging engagement, outreach and extension services together, our service mission also calls us to focus on how we share and protect research innovation, how we engage with corporate partners and how we weave together all of the incredible economic development work happening at this institution.
Some of the work outlined above — tech transfer, commercialization and intellectual property protections — fits within the traditional core mission of a research foundation, a common structure at many comparable institutions, and a mission currently carried out by K-State Innovation Partners. The functions of corporate engagement and economic development are carried out by multiple groups across the breadth of the institution, and we recognize that these functions must be deeply connected, aligned and coordinated in order to advance our Next-Gen vision forward.
By reviewing these two sets of functions distinctly, we can create an opportunity for this institution to build upon the phenomenal work already taking place and elevate these efforts, creating a structure that supports even stronger alignment and coordination.
In this vein, I have asked for two working groups to be formed to explore these distinct institutional functions:
- Research Foundation working group: This working group is tasked with developing a strong, dynamic Research Foundation that focuses on promoting and aiding research, as well as assisting in patenting and commercialization processes. This team includes:
- David Rosowsky, vice president for research, chair.
- Rebecca Robinson, president and CEO, K-State Innovation Partners.
- Bonnie Rush, Hodes family dean, College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Cassandra Jones, professor, department of animal sciences and industry, College of Agriculture.
- Punit Prakash, professor, Mike Wiegers Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carl R. Ice College of Engineering.
- Kyeong-Ok Chang, professor, department of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Marshall Stewart, senior vice president and chief of staff, ex-officio.
- Ethan Erickson, vice president for administration and finance, ex-officio.
- Al Rebar, consulting partner, ex-officio.
- Corporate engagement and economic development working group: This working group is tasked with establishing a complementary and collaborative path forward for corporate engagement and economic development efforts across the institution under the direction of the senior vice president and chief of staff. This team includes:
- Marshall Stewart, senior vice president and chief of staff, chair.
- Greg Willems, president and CEO, KSU Foundation.
- Ethan Erickson, vice president for administration and finance.
- Kevin Gwinner, Edgerley family dean, College of Business Administration.
- David Rosowsky, vice president for research, ex-officio
- Rebecca Robinson, president and CEO, K-State Innovation Partners, ex-officio.
- Al Rebar, consulting partner, ex-officio.
Both working groups are charged with completing their assessments and recommendations by the end of the calendar year, with implementation for our path forward for both sets of functions to begin in early 2024.
Driving operational excellence calls us to think in new ways and solve complex challenges, but it also allows us to chart our path forward as One K-State, confident in our shared mission, vision and purpose. We look forward to sharing the recommendations that come out of these two working groups in early 2024, outlining a strong path forward to elevate our efforts in these areas and advance K-State.
Go 'Cats!
Richard Linton
President