U News | Georgia Governor celebrates 65 years of Georgia Tech serving the manufacturing industry
Operation HOPE and Georgia State University launch the AI Literacy Pipeline to Prosperity Project for 9th–11th graders.
From Lipscomb University:
In a higher education landscape that is often slow to adapt, Lipscomb University is taking a bold, proactive approach to one of the most transformative technologies of the modern era — artificial intelligence (AI).
From launching Nashville’s first graduate program in applied AI to making a significant investment in campus-wide access to enterprise-level generative AI tools, Lipscomb is embracing AI as a strategic imperative, preparing students, faculty, and staff for a rapidly evolving world. Lipscomb becomes the first independent institution in the U.S. to provide robust, cutting-edge AI tools and training for all university students, faculty, and staff with a unique partnership with BoodleBox
“Embracing technology is not just about adopting new tools. At Lipscomb, we are integrating AI not just for innovation’s sake, but because it enhances who we are,” said Lipscomb President Candice McQueen. “It’s about preparing our community to lead and flourish in a world in which AI will continue to be an increasingly important factor.”
From the Georgia Institute of Technology:
The Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP), a program of the Enterprise Innovation Institute at Georgia Tech, received recognition by Governor Brian P. Kemp at the Georgia State Capitol for 65 years of service to the manufacturing industry.
The commendation acknowledged GaMEP for leveraging its world-renowned expertise and resources to advance manufacturing and economic prosperity across the state, supporting an industry that adds $82 billion to the economy and employs 425,000 residents, according to the National Association of Manufacturers.
This impact reflects decades of intentional growth and support for the industry. By 1960, more than 4,500 manufacturers had planted roots across Georgia — the result of strategic efforts by state leaders, with economic development assistance from Georgia Tech, to industrialize the economy. But growth brought new challenges. Manufacturers needed technical support to stay competitive. In response, the Georgia General Assembly voted to establish the Georgia Tech Industrial Extension Service (now known as the GaMEP). This created statewide field offices that provide a direct link between industry and innovation, delivering on-site technical expertise to help manufacturers thrive.
Over the past decade alone, the GaMEP has provided assistance and education to more than 3,900 manufacturers across 144 counties, helping them create or retain 14,500 jobs, invest $1 billion in capital improvements, realize $3.5 billion in sales, and save nearly $450 million in costs. The GaMEP primarily serves small- to medium-sized manufacturers with 75 percent employing less than 250 workers. Its top-served industries include fabricated metal products, food, machinery, and chemical and transportation equipment manufacturing.
From Georgia State University:
A pilot program co-led by Operation HOPE and Georgia State University is working to build technical, entrepreneurial, and financial-literacy skills in Atlanta-area youth to help them thrive in the artificial intelligence (AI)-powered workforce.
According to a report in Campus Technology, the AI Literacy Pipeline to Prosperity Project (AILP³) kicked off in July with a week-long summer camp for rising 9th–11th graders hosted at Georgia State’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business.
Participants engaged in immersive, hands-on activities such as AI literacy bootcamps, design-thinking sprints, mentorship from local tech leaders, and opportunities to develop AI-driven prototypes, according to a news announcement. Students were taught by a multidisciplinary team of Georgia State faculty focused on innovation, finance, technology, education, and entrepreneurship, as well as industry experts from Atlanta’s ecosystem of AI companies.
From Missouri State University:
In November 2024, Missouri State University’s efactory launched its Entrepreneurship Intern Program, a win-win for participating students and companies.
The program connects Missouri State students with an efactory incubator member company at no cost. Thanks to grant funding from the Missouri Technology Corporation, the pilot program and all student wages are fully funded through December 2026. In addition, the Hatch Foundation also supports the program financially and with expertise.
The first cohort of five students and five companies started the program in January and completed it in May.
From California State University Fullerton:
California State University Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics received a $4.5 million bequest and will honor decades of dedicated service from Jerry Conrey and his wife, Dr. Victoria Shook Conrey, in naming the Conrey Center for Entrepreneurship.
“We are grateful to Jerry and Victoria Conrey for their generosity and enduring service to Cal State Fullerton,” said President Ronald Rochon. “The Conrey Center for Entrepreneurship will serve as a launchpad for innovation, empowering our students and future graduates to generate ideas into opportunities that will make a lasting impact on the world.”
The Conreys’ investment represents one of the largest single contributions in support of entrepreneurship education at Cal State Fullerton. The couple’s 20-year engagement with the center has included scholarships, one-on-one mentoring and fostering regional innovation and connections between the university and the business community.
From the University of Chicago:
Alchemist Accelerator, one of the world’s leading enterprise-focused start-up accelerators, has joined forces with the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to launch Alchemist Chicago — a new deep tech accelerator built to take scientific breakthroughs from lab to market.
This first-of-its-kind collaboration combines the strengths of Alchemist’s global network and track record of launching category-defining Business-to-Business start-ups with the University of Chicago’s world-class research, national lab affiliations, and commercialization expertise.
“The launch of Alchemist Chicago joins a series of investments that together provide all the needed components for early-stage ventures to grow and thrive,” says Samir Mayekar, Managing Director of the Polsky Center. “Partnering with a Bay Area accelerator will bring a new perspective and opportunities to our startups here in the Midwest.”
Alchemist Chicago will support early stage ventures across quantum, artificial intelligence, cleantech, robotics, and other deep tech industries, transforming discovery into impact. It is open to global founders — no University affiliation required.
The program will run in two phases to validate and build traction, and get fundraising ready. Applications are now open and will close on September 5.
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