Miles College Launches Innovation Center for HBCU Students
Fairfield, Al (WBMA) — Miles College is launching a new innovation center to support Historically Black College and University (HBCU) students. The 2150 Center for Innovation, Commercialization & Growth will be an incubator to increase innovation opportunities for Miles College and its students.
Founder of the center and current Miles Chief Innovation and Growth Officer Erskine Faush says students at HBCUs are typically underserved regarding research and innovation.
"The idea was born out of a problem," said Faush, "When it comes to research and patents, the top two PWIs (Predominately White Institutions) outpace all HBCU combined," said Faush.
The new innovation center is expected to open the door to those opportunities for HBCU students and the college itself. Opportunities like state research projects. patents and venture investments will be made available to students. The goal is to drive a new HBCU economy.
Equity stakes in companies to grow them, revenue streams for HBCU's. Just watch entrepreneurs and founders from HBCU’s who will change the world.
Erskine "Chuck" Faush
Faush says mentorship will play a huge role in creating these innovators. Students within the program will be put in front of big business owners and researchers from across the country. "When we can put students, founders, innovators, games changers, disrupters, and those folks who have a mindset to really problem solve and they’re in the room with other people who’ve already been there, that’s a powerful combination," said Faush.
Miles College will have its first cohort of students this upcoming fall with another to launch in the spring. The goal is to extend the center's reach to HBCUs across the state.
