Based on key learnings over the past decade and a better understanding of market demand, the Office of University Relations is updating how we engage with companies.
“We have learned the benefits of directly connecting corporate partners with the college leadership, faculty and staff who are delivering the services companies seek from Marquette,” said Ralph Weber, vice president and general counsel, who oversees the Office of University Relations. “Whether they are recruiting students for their talent pipelines, tapping into faculty research or seeking professional development opportunities for their employees, this direct-to-college model will build deeper relationships between the companies and their college counterparts.
As we evolve beyond a centralized corporate engagement function in the Office of University Relations, the university’s new approach will feature the colleges and Career Center responding directly to the top three areas for which corporations seek out a partnership with Marquette:
- Student recruitment for companies looking to fill their talent pipeline
- Professional development for their employees
- Services and research provided to companies by faculty experts
In this new approach, relationships with corporations who engage with the university will be managed by leaders across the colleges and by the Career Center, with several administrative areas supporting their work in key areas, including:
- University Relations and Office of General Counsel – contract development and support, as well as relationship support, as needed, especially during this transition phase
- Finance – invoicing and collections for corporate-sponsored research and services
- 707 Hub – oversight of student competitions in partnership with corporations
- University Advancement – cross-unit information sharing both to track all the ways a corporation engages with the university and to make sure all are aware and aligned
Weber will continue to be involved in relationship management with corporate partners to ensure a smooth transition.
Technology transfer will continue to be managed by Dr. Kalpa Vithalani, executive director of technology transfer, who will report to Dr. Jeanne Hossenlopp’s research and innovation area.
In addition to providing a model for corporate engagement that aligns with the way companies most effectively engage with the university, this approach also creates cost savings. These twin benefits reflect the campus-wide Securing Our Future recommendations to improve results and reduce expenses by reimagining how we do our work.
This new approach will be phased in over the next several months, with full implementation beginning with the new fiscal year in July 2025.
