1. Indiana University Kokomo
Regional Transformation Initiative
Presented by:
Dr. Susan Sciame-Giesecke, Interim Chancellor
Penny Lee, Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs and Advancement
Brittany Cole, Coordinator for Regional Engagement
October 22, 2012

2. Regional Transformation Initiative
Background
• Shift from an economy of traditional industrial manufacturing
based on natural resources and labor, to an economy of
knowledge, driven by innovation and entrepreneurship
• Higher Education must embrace a leadership role in regional
transformation
• Requires a new model of leadership that is entrepreneurial,
reevaluating the role of regional campuses

3. Regional Transformation Initiative
Background
• Reaffirm commitment to being “stewards of place”
• AASCU survey found fewer than half of Presidents and
Chancellors are closely linked to their communities
• Regional transformation must be a priority in strategic planning
for universities and embraced by academic leaders

4. Regional Transformation Initiative
Role of Indiana University Kokomo in Transforming the
Region
• Intentional, Engaging, and Strategic
• Regional transformation as one of the institutions three major
themes
• Utilize campus role as convener and neutral guide for building
collaboration

5. Regional Transformation Initiative
Role of Indiana University Kokomo in Transforming the Region
• Specific activities
 July 2010 – Campus leadership meets over 200 community leaders in
the north central Indiana region
 May 2011 – Meeting of regional organization leaders and a regional
leader forum
 July 2011 – Summit of Mayors
 November 2011 – Regional leader meeting introducing regional
benchmark study
 May 2012 – Regional Town Hall meeting, including analysis of IU
Kokomo economic impact
 October 2012 – 6 county meeting to develop a regional planning
organization

6. Regional Transformation Initiative
IU Kokomo’s Innovative Efforts
• Priority in campus Strategic Plan
• Building our role as “stewards of place”
• Embrace Triple Helix framework, which includes a
university/campus, businesses, and governments collaborating
to assure economic development

7. Regional Transformation Initiative
Benefits Realized by the Client
• IU Kokomo recognized as catalyst for regional transformation
• Conversation around regionalism is more lively, engaging, and
substantive
• IUK approached by others to convene groups due to respect of
the power to get people in the room
• Working with Purdue and Indiana University to create “The
Indiana Innovation Platform: a Proof of Concept Accelerator”