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Embracing disruption: Innovation hub best practices to maximize industry partnerships and community connectivity

Robert McClure, AIA, NCARB
Robert McClure
Design Director / Principal
 
Melissa Burns, AIA, NCARB, LEED BD+C
Melissa Burns
Lead Academic Planner / Principal
 
Jim Taylor, AIA, MBA, LEED AP
Jim Taylor
University Architect
 
Lara Branigan, AIA
Lara Branigan
Director of Design and Construction
 

Innovation hubs are proving pivotal in harnessing higher education’s most disruptive forces to thrive amidst external pressures. Bringing together experiential learning, interdisciplinary initiatives, and student-centric education models with industry partners, innovation hubs drive creativity, foster community and professional connections, and birth productive new collaborations. Session leaders examine success factors and lessons learned distilled from two case studies: Seattle University’s Sinegal Center for Science and Innovation, and the University of Houston Innovation Hub. They demonstrate the importance of space planning and innovative design in maximizing the meaningfulness of out-of-classroom experiences, and preparing students to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving workforce.