The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) has renewed the University of Pittsburgh’s Innovation and Economic Prosperity (IEP) University designation.
The prestigious designation reflects Pitt’s extensive work with public and private sector partners across Pennsylvania, supporting economic development through various activities, including innovation and entrepreneurship, community engagement, technology transfer, talent and workforce development.
The designation recognizes Pitt’s outstanding efforts in community, social and cultural development work, particularly within the Pittsburgh communities of Oakland, Homewood and the Hill District. The University has made its partnerships in the communities surrounding its campus a centerpiece of its place-based community and economic engagement strategy.
The APLU, an organization dedicated to advancing the work of public universities, established the IEP program to help higher education institutions strengthen their strategy and practices in economic and community development and to highlight designated institutions’ commitment to regional economic engagement and well-being.
Institutions complete a rigorous self-study and stakeholder engagement process to earn the designation. They also identify their economic and community development strengths and areas of growth and improvement.