Hampton University News January 16, 2015 HU selected for Pathways to Innovation Program by the NSF-funded National Center Hampton University has been selected as one of 25 U.S. institutions for the Engineering Pathways to Innovation (Epicenter) to join the Pathways to Innovation Program by the NSF-funded National Center. The Pathways to Innovation Program is designed to help institutions fully incorporate innovation and entrepreneurship into undergraduate engineering education. The program is run by Epicenter, which is funded by the National Science Foundation and directed by Stanford University and VentureWell (formerly NCIIA). "This program fits well with Hampton University's commitment to educating our students' minds, hearts and hands," said Hampton University President, Dr. William R. Harvey. "It is not enough to teach theory; we emphasize active practice as well so that our students will be leaders in their disciplines." Ongoing innovation is required to maintain America's global competitiveness and address pressing problems. Engineering is the foundation of much of that innovation. Faculty and administrators participating in Epicenter's Pathways program are taking on this challenge and leading their universities into a new era of engineering education that prepares students to tackle big problems and thrive in this ever-changing economy. "Hampton University's selection to participate in the Pathways program is a great opportunity for us to be part of a group leading the nation's efforts in integrating innovation and entrepreneurship into our engineering programs," said Eric Sheppard, Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology. Participating schools assemble a team of faculty and academic leaders to assess their institution's current offerings, design a unique strategy for change, and lead their peers in a two-year transformation process. Program teams receive access to models for integrating entrepreneurship into engineering curriculum, custom online resources, guidance from a community of engineering and entrepreneurship faculty, and membership in a national network of schools with similar goals. "This is also an opportunity to collaborate across the campus since innovation isn't just about engineering, it's about science and liberal arts and business and all the other disciplines too and it's also teaming with other units like the art museum," said Sheppard. "I envision lots of fun learning opportunities across the campus." SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.