Gaining corporate partners to sponsor undergraduate research and design projects is a great way to provide students with quality work experience and enhance the reputation of your institution. But there are many challenges associated with approaching potential partners and closing the deal. Understanding how to clearly communicate your goals and anticipating what questions future partners are likely to ask are key components to success.
Join us for this one-hour webcast and learn how to prepare for meaningful and successful conversations with future corporate partners. Our expert will guide you through how to:
- Prepare: Anticipate challenges, prepare a value statement, and clearly communicate the ask
- Onboard: Make the transition from potential partner to partner seamless
- Deliver: Provide the processes, tools, and student mentoring to execute projects successfully
Who Should Attend
This webcast will benefit Corporate and Foundation Relations staff who support academic programs. Faculty involved in experiential, project-based courses, capstone design programs, and/or undergraduate research programs that seek industrial support (course instructors and faculty program directors) will also benefit from this webcast.
Agenda
1) Setting Up for Success: Bridge the gap between academia and industry
- Anticipate challenges
- Create a value statement
- Prepare to clearly communicate the ask
2) Onboarding Partners: Seamless transitions
- Communication best practices
- Understanding intellectual property
- Setting realistic expectations
3) Deliver: Provide the processes, tools, and student mentoring to execute projects successfully
- Identify the best students for projects
- Where and how to recruit
- Structuring your success
Speaker
Rick Berkey
Program Director and Professor of Practice, Michigan Technological Institute
Rick holds a dual role at Michigan Technological University. He is as Professor of Practice in the Department of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology (MMET) and Director of the Enterprise Program, housed in the Pavlis Honors College (PHC). Since 2015, Rick has led Enterprise – an innovative multi-year, interdisciplinary, project-based, and industrial-sponsored program – available to undergraduate and graduate students from all majors. The program’s scope includes a portfolio of 25 teams, 900 students from 35 majors, 38 faculty involved in advising and instruction, and annual support from 40+ external partners and supporters. Additionally, Rick serves on Michigan Tech’s Corporate Council, which facilitates corporate engagement and holistic corporate partnerships across the areas of research, recruitment, student projects, technology transfer, and philanthropy.
Questions About the Event? Email this event's Program Manager, Heather Fernandez.
What You Get
Get the live webcast and the recording for one price.
Get access to live webcast including Q&A.
Receive permanent and unlimited access to recording.
Download speaker slides and supplemental materials.