ON THE BRIDGE | HIGHLIGHTS
A Home for
Innovation
New Penn State Innovation Hub facilitates ideation and collaborative partnerships As enrollments and collaborative research expand across the College of IST, so too does the college’s physical footprint. In early November, several of the college’s administrators, faculty, and graduate students took up residence in the new Penn State Innovation Hub. Located at the former site of the James Building in downtown State College, the 85,000-square-foot building serves as Penn State’s new home for innovation and helps to advance the University’s focus on entrepreneurial success and economic development. The building’s six stories each offer a unique focus to aid students, creators, and community entrepreneurs. The College of IST occupies the fourth floor, with the Offices of the Dean, Human Resources, and Alumni and Development, as well as
the associate deans for research and graduate and undergraduate education, moving to the location. The college’s space also includes offices and research labs for seven faculty and their graduate students. “Innovation was central to the College of IST’s founding and it’s key to our future,” said Andrew Sears, dean. “Our focus continues to be on helping students become the leaders and pioneers of tomorrow. Being in this new space will help us build meaningful connections, leverage important resources, and add new services that help IST and Penn State students pursue their ideas.” The first three floors feature the new home for Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank; provide space for offices supporting the University's Senior Vice President for Research; and add state-ofthe-art resources such as makerspaces,
space occupying the top floor. The building will also be the epicenter for the University’s flagship entrepreneurial events, including Penn State Startup Week, which launched as IST Startup Week in 2012 and has since expanded to a University-wide showcase of entrepreneurship and innovation.
“...Being in this new space will help us build meaningful connections, leverage important resources, and add new services that help IST and Penn State students pursue their ideas.” an immersive technology laboratory, and collaborative workspaces designed to accelerate innovation, technology commercialization, and local startup companies. Administrative offices for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences are located on the fifth floor, with an executive meeting room and banquet
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iConnect Magazine
Added Sears, “Through initiatives like Startup Week, the Bardusch Family IdeaMakers Challenge, David Rusenko Entrepreneur Scholarships, and the entrepreneurship and innovation minor, we’re excited to use this additional location to expand, strengthen, and create new opportunities for IST students.”
