(DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)In January, DePaul joined the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition. The ISTC is a nonprofit which aims to strengthen the state's innovation economy through data collection, policy advocacy and impactful programs.
"Joining ISTC brings opportunities for new external collaborations with various corporations, nonprofits and startups," says Maija Renko, a professor and Coleman Chair of Entrepreneurship in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship. "Faculty in search of external partners for their research and teaching can turn to ISTC for connections, and students can benefit when resources available through ISTC become a part of their classroom experience."
The ISTC noted DePaul as a leading institution for entrepreneurship and business education in Illinois. From the launch of the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center in 2003 to the Women in Entrepreneurship Institute, the university strives to connect students and alumni with the Chicago business community, and accelerate entrepreneurship and innovation.
Beyond the Driehaus College of Business, the ISTC praised the efforts of DePaul's iD-Lab and the College of Science and Health. The iD-Lab, housed within the College of Computing and Digital Media, provides innovative solutions through data analytics, experience design and software development to businesses around the world. CSH is a hub to a number of STEM institutes and initiatives, including the STEM Center, which provides leadership and service to strengthen STEM education across Chicago.
"DePaul has always had an emphasis on community engagement, which has been central to our identity and practices. I'm excited to see the university expand its partnerships to include the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition, one of the key players in the State of Illinois' innovation ecosystem," says Roman Dumiak, an executive in residence at DePaul's iD-Lab. "Through this membership we are participating and enhancing a shared voice, which can deliver measurable economic impact and position Illinois as a national innovation leader."