EPIIC Quarterly
June 2025, Issue #1
(From left to right) Brandon Blake, Brinley McCaig, Adriana Viscomi, and Brenna Staley—all AC3 students working with the Grand Rapids Symphony—debrief recently completed stakeholder interviews that were carried out as part of a community impact study. Image credit: Will Cammel, Digital Media Producer, Albion College 
Innovating at Scale: How Four Small Colleges Are Building Big Industry Partnerships
These institutions are overcoming geographic and infrastructure challenges to build sustainable industry partnerships and prepare students for the modern workforce.
EPIIC cohorts discuss their work as part of the program at the first-ever PI meeting that took place in December 2024. Image credit: Andrés Harris
NSF’s EPIIC Program Expands Innovation in Research Ecosystems

More than grants—EPIIC provides emerging research institutions with the resources and guidance to build partnerships and grow regional impact.

The Leahy Center at Champlain College is a state-of-the-art digital forensics and cybersecurity lab that delivers professional services to clients ranging from government agencies to local businesses. Image courtesy of Champlain College.
Primed for the Future: How Three Colleges Are Using Technology to Prepare Students for Tomorrow’s Workforce

Through NSF’s EPIIC program, Champlain College, Christopher Newport University, and Western Oregon University are building industry partnerships, launching tech-driven programs, and equipping students with real-world skills in AI, cybersecurity, and data science.

This Emory University database, designed for faculty, research staff, and leadership, provides practical guidance to advance research infrastructure and capacity.

This year’s theme, “Experiential Education for a Connected World,” explores the critical role of hands-on learning in an increasingly interconnected global landscape.

National efforts to scale work-based learning in higher education are needed, but state-based, grassroots efforts are playing a complementary role.