Objectives:The NIU Office of Regional
Engagement/Rockford is collaborating with employers, economic and workforce
development professionals, governments, foundations and educational entities
(K-12, community colleges, and higher education) to:
· Develop a comprehensive economic development
strategy for the Rockford region
· Increase educational attainment in the Rockford
region
· Improve K-12 outcomes in the Rockford public
schools
· Create a culture of innovation in Rockford area
businesses
· Ensure a pipeline of qualified professionals for
high-tech businesses
These objectives and the ambitious Rockford engagement
agenda reflect a long-standing commitment by NIU to the region, founded on four
principles of connection: Lifelong learning; Partnerships; Technology; and
Engagement.
Outcomes:NIU contributes to job growth and workforce development in Rockford
as a result of initiatives coordinated by the Office for Engagement/Rockford:
· The Jobs Innovation Accelerator Challenge awarded
$2.4M to a collaborative of NIU, Rock Valley College, the Rockford Area
Economic Development Council, and the EIGERlab incubator-accelerator.
· A new degree
completion program to support the local aerospace industry is focused on
seamless, cost-effective transition of high potential STEM students from Rock
Valley College to the NIU College of Engineering and Engineering Technology.
· The NIU Mathematics Department is partnering
with industry and community organizations to provide teacher professional development
for Rockford Public Schools (RPS).