ASU receives APLU innovation award

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities named Arizona State University among four winners of its fifth annual Innovation & Economic Prosperity University Awards this week. The award winners were announced at the APLU annual meeting in Austin, Texas.

ASU won in APLU’s Connections category for a number of the university’s successful initiatives, including creating the Polytechnic Campus from a decommissioned U.S. Air Force base, the development of the downtown Phoenix campus, and the growth of the SkySong partnership between the ASU Foundation, the city of Scottsdale, the Plaza Companies and Holualoa Companies. Additionally, the APLU recognized ASU’s success in developing a partnership with the Mayo Clinic, and in expanding access to higher education through programs such as the Starbucks College Achievement Plan and the ASU Preparatory Academy. 

“This designation by APLU is an honor and tribute to all of ASU and our dedication to the growth and prosperity of our communities,” said Todd Hardy, senior economic development advisor in ASU’s Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development. “We appreciate it very much and will now use the platform to expand and improve our engagement programs in the future.”

The APLU’s “Connections” award category recognizes the institution that is doing the most to build connections between all categories of economic engagement — innovation and entrepreneurship, talent development, and social, community and cultural development.

“Economic engagement is a central component of public universities’ work,” said APLU President Peter McPherson. “Public institutions are working to advance economic opportunity and drive prosperity in their communities. The IEP Award winners have established themselves as exemplary institutions in this space, and we applaud their important leadership.”