Innovation Initiative: Transforming Academic Culture in the Arts and Sciences

The Franklin College Innovation Initiative is designed to guide our efforts and focus into the next era of American higher education. Dean Anna Stenport provides an outline of the three-part initiative 1) Academic Innovation, 2) Research Partnerships and Public Engagement, and 3) Student Success, in a series of interviews discussing the context of this ambitious enterprise and plans for implementation.

"The Franklin College commitment to academic excellence will continue to grow as we strengthen these critical pillars of its foundation," Stenport said. "As we modernize our curricula and build support for greater cohesion among our disciplines, our students and faculty will discover impactful ways to collaborate as well as engage with alumni, industry, entrepreneurs and others beyond campus."

The multifaceted approach to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the arts and sciences will empower students and faculty across multiple disciplines to embrace creativity, collaboration, entrepreneurship, research and leadership as integral parts of their academic journey. The results—unparalleled academic excellence coupled with entrepreneurial, career-focused programs with real-world applications enabling student engagement with successful alumni and world-renowned faculty, thus elevating student confidence and career outcome, post-graduation.