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Innovation Accelerator
In Fall 2022, Harper launched the Innovation Accelerator as a new collaborative College unit designed to focus on rapid development and delivery
of emerging technology programming to meet regional employer demands for a skilled
workforce. Innovation in this context signifies a paradigm shift, challenging traditional norms
with disruptive ideas that pave the way for transformational learning experiences.
New programs will ensure students are learning future technology skills and competencies, using industry-relevant equipment, and earning industry-recognized credentials that make them competitive in today’s rapidly changing job market.
Business and Industry Leadership Teams
We are looking for business and industry leaders, including technical executives,
technicians, and other industry professionals, working in Cybersecurity, AI, and Cloud
Infrastructure career fields to join our new Business and Industry Leadership Team
(BILT) advisory councils. Check out our BILT webpage to learn more.
Recruiting new Electro-Mechanical Business Industry Leadership Team (BILT)!
The Innovation Accelerator at Harper College invites leaders in Manufacturing, Energy,
Aerospace, and Automotive industries to contribute to the college’s Advanced Manufacturing
programs. Learn more about becoming an active partner in shaping educational programs
by advising what skills and expertise are most needed now and in the future.
If you are interested in joining or learning more, please submit the BILT Interest Form on our innovation accelerator page.
Innovation Accelerator in the News:
Innovation Accelerator Initiatives
Business and Industry Leadership Teams
We are looking for business and industry leaders, including technical executives,
technicians, and other industry professionals, working in Cybersecurity, AI, and Cloud
Infrastructure career fields to join our new Business and Industry Leadership Team
(BILT) advisory councils. Check out our BILT webpage to learn more.
Emerging Technologies Pathways at Harper Grant Project
The Innovation Accelerator has been tasked with operationalizing the $1.6 million
Emerging Technologies Pathways at Harper (EmergingTech@Harper) project that is funded through the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training
Administration's Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grant (SCC3) program. Over
the next four years, Harper will develop new accelerated career pathways in Cybersecurity
and Artificial Intelligence with Cloud Computing. These pathways will offer multiple
entry and exit points, including technical bridge programs for students needing basic
skills support, short-term certificates, industry-recognized credentials, credit certificates,
and associate degrees. We want to meet individuals where they are and support their
academic journey. Click the program links at the top of the page to learn more about
new and planned programs that equip students with cutting-edge skills.
Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC)
The Innovation Accelerator is leading a $400,000 three-year National Science Foundation
grant project entitled Generating Regional Innovative Partnerships. Harper is serving
as the lead institution for a five-institution consortium comprised of Ivy Tech Community
College (IN), Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MS), Washburn University Institute
of Technology (KS), and WSU Tech (KS). The primary goal of this three-year grant is
to build institutional capacity to grow external partnerships for workforce programs
to make them more responsive to regional workforce needs supported by the development
of a scalable, replicable framework for community and technical colleges transitioning
from traditional advisory committees to the nationally recognized Business and Industry
Leadership Team (BILT) advisory council model.
The Five Economies Positioned for Regional Future Growth
The Innovation Accelerator is focused on careers fields included in the five “economies” (or occupation clusters) positioned for future growth according to regional labor market data.
Readiness Economy
Biotechology, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and public health
Logistics Economy
Industrial big data, IoT technologies, and supply chain management
Green Economy
Renewable energy, sustainability, and green building construction
Remote Economy
Supporting e-commerce, cloud computing, and network systems
Automated Economy
AI, robotics, automation, software and application development, and
data science
