UM Maintains National Designation for Innovation, Economic Growth

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities first named UM an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University in 2019. The five-year designation recognizes schools that show a commitment to economic development and community engagement.

The association recently extended Ole Miss' designation for another five years.

"The renewal of our Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation reaffirms the University of Mississippi's commitment to fostering research, entrepreneurship and economic growth in our region," said John Higginbotham, vice chancellor for research and economic development.

"This recognition reflects our ongoing efforts to translate innovation into real-world impact, strengthening both our university and the communities we serve."

Universities that received the designation will be honored at the 2025 APLU annual meeting in November in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fewer than 100 universities nationwide earn the IEP designation.

Since initially receiving the designation in 2019, the university has prioritized its commitment to driving economic development and fostering partnerships in the region, said William Nicholas, director of economic development and Insight Park.

"Economic development at UM is both an internal and external effort," Nicholas said. "From university leadership to undergraduate and graduate students, the entire Ole Miss community plays a role in this success."

"This is not just a reflection of a single enterprise. It's the work of the entire university community."

For the renewal process, Nicholas collaborated with J.R. Love, assistant director of the Office of Economic Development and Insight Park, and Allyson Best, director of the Office of Technology Commercialization. Their submission highlighted the university's tangible contributions to economic growth to Oxford and beyond.

"We've been able to get more than five biomedical innovations into human clinical trials," Best said. "We've contributed to multiple dietary supplements that have made it to market and invented an infrasound sensor that's manufactured in Tupelo and sold around the world.

"That shows the commitment to translating research into impactful innovations that benefit society is a priority for the university."

Nicholas touted the university's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Grisham-McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement; EdgeTheory, a narrative intelligence company that offers internships and experiences for students; and the success of the Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network, which bolsters small businesses across the state.

"We're cultivating entrepreneurs who create jobs, strengthening our local economies in the process," he said. "A company that starts in a community is likely to stay there, and by fostering entrepreneurship, we're driving long-term economic growth."

Top: William Nicholas (right), UM director of economic development, leads guests on a tour of Insight Park. The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities has renewed Ole Miss’ status as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University, a designation that recognizes a university’s commitment to economic development and innovation. Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services