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Mercyhurst ’ s pioneering intel programs drive innovation
For more than 25 years , Mercyhurst University has offered the premier program for educating intelligence analysts for businesses and agencies , large and small , public and private . Since establishing the first non-governmental intelligence studies program of its kind , Mercyhurst has expanded its offerings to include an undergraduate program in Intelligence Studies as well as graduate programs in Applied Intelligence and Data Science , all contained in Mercyhurst ’ s Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences .
Now , Mercyhurst will take the lead in establishing a Downtown Erie Innovation District to drive a new knowledge-based economy focused on safety and security , thanks to a $ 4 million Shaping Tomorrow grant announced recently by the Erie Community Foundation .
Mercyhurst will serve as the anchor institution and will collaborate with three corporate partners : Erie Insurance , Velocity Network , Inc ., and McManis and Monsalve Associates . The partners will execute joint projects related to safety and security , specifically in the high-demand fields of data science and cybersecurity , where their combined skills will create a powerful business alliance and serve as the catalyst for economic growth .
“ Mercyhurst is ready to take the lead in what we believe will be a potent game-changer for Erie ,” said Mercyhurst President Michael T . Victor . “ We envision an innovation district in downtown Erie that will allow us to build a dynamic leadership network and work together with a singular vision focused on growth and prosperity for our community .”
Innovation districts are a relatively new phenomenon intended to reshape cities and promote economic growth . They work by combining the talent from anchor institutions to build partnerships across sectors , transforming cities into innovation hubs that attract new business , funding and investment and , in turn , drive the vitality of a city .
As project leader , Dr . David Dausey , provost and vice president for academic affairs , noted , “ Innovation districts have shown that both American and global corporations are interested in being centered in proximity to trained talent . By focusing heavily on the emerging fields of data science and cybersecurity , Erie will be well positioned as a hub for companies to make investments . In fact , as we have seen from the financial services industry and the insurance industry , data science is one of the largest growth areas in the field . Multiple industry CEOs have been quoted as saying that ‘ big data is the future of the financial services industry .’”
Innovation districts also leverage a community ’ s assets and create opportunities , from work to retail to cultural attractions that serve to retain highly educated millennial graduates .
In awarding the grant , special attention was given to the fact that Mercyhurst and its partners , all with considerable expertise in data science and cybersecurity , proffered a plan that dovetails with the goals of Erie ’ s Comprehensive Plan and is designed to serve three critical community needs :
• Stop brain drain and enhance brain gain .
• Replace low-wage jobs with quality family-sustaining jobs .
• Revitalize downtown Erie .
The Ridge Policy Group , a lobbying firm founded by the nation ’ s first Secretary of Homeland Security and Erie resident Tom Ridge , will work with the executive director to actively recruit companies to Erie by showing them that Erie is an innovation center with unrivalled talent in the areas of safety and security .
In pledging his support for the project , Ridge wrote : “ The vision for this collaboration between the university and three of the most innovative employers in the Erie region will bring together , under one roof , the best and the brightest employees , faculty and students to conduct new research that results in synergies , concepts and ultimately commercially viable ventures that will provide jobs and economic security for the region .”
For more information on Mercyhurst ’ s graduate programs in Applied Intelligence and Data Science , visit mercyhurst . edu / grad or call 814-824-3351 .
Millcreek | Winter 2016 | icmags . com 37