Initiative Four: Center for Innovation

The Center for Innovation initiative seeks to create new revenue sources by leveraging Curry’s academic resources to serve new markets. The Center will act as an innovation hub that can respond promptly to market demands and opportunities through certificate programs, professional development offerings, and new academic programs, such as graduate programs targeting international students. The Center will also launch incubator spaces to support student and faculty startups.

Implementation Team

Bob Shea, Provost
Mike Bosco, Associate Provost for Academic Administration
Catherine McCabe, Dean, School of Business and Technology
Michelle McMahon, Dean, School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Bill Boozang, Executive Director, Continuing Education & Graduate Programs
Liz Matson, Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Margie Hutter, Director of Grants and Partnerships
Keith Robichaud, Vice President of Enrollment Management

Advisory Committee

Alison Poor-Donahue, Chair and Professor, Visual & Performing Arts
Shawn Scott, Assistant Professor, Marketing
Stephanie Walker, Professor, Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Rob MacDougall, Professor, Communication
Shavi Cooray, Professor, School of Business and Technology
Jessica Fry, Chair and Associate Professor, Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Maura Donovan, Director of Constituent and Alumni Engagement
John Eagan, Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Strategic Priorities

• International MS Programs: Begin international recruiting efforts through local agents to enhance Curry brand visibility, driving graduate enrollment in International STEM MS programs while indirectly increasing undergraduate enrollment.
• B2B Credentials and Professional Development: Build partnerships to enhance experiential learning and training, including a focus on neurodiversity programming in partnership with the Neurodiversity Center for Excellence.
• Commercial Kitchen: Develop plans for the Plymouth campus commercial kitchen to align with local economic needs and onboard operational partners.
• Incubator Space/Scholars-in-Residence: Actively monitor potential for incubator space focused on supporting student and faculty entrepreneurship.

Fiscal Year 2025 Key Action Items

• Hire Assistant Director
• Begin recruiting international students for and developing new STEM MS programs