Mizzou Center looks to connect with Kansas City businesses
Foster said the new center is an additional step in accomplishing MU's statewide mission.
Published May 21, 2010
MU launched Mizzou Center, a new facility that will connect the university's researchers with the Kansas City region’s industry leaders, in Blue Springs on Tuesday.
Chancellor Brady Deaton and Provost Brian Foster named Al Black, a former regional director for MU Extension, to be director of the new center.
“It’s a very unique approach in engaging the university, taking the strategic aspects of the university and applying it off campus in ways that it can affect economic development and the quality of life of Kansas City Region,” Black said in an MU news release. "The Mizzou Center is going to represent the strategic assets of the university and collaborate with the business community on scientific research and technology transfer.”
The Mizzou Center is an additional opening for MU to accomplish its statewide mission, Foster said in the news release.
“This is not about creating just any type of jobs,” Foster said. “By creating new partnerships and engaging the expertise of our faculty, we want to enhance our technology transfer output, build robust student services in the region and offer programs for the citizens in the region. The Mizzou Center is a step toward accomplishing those goals.”
Some of the center's first tenants will include the MU School of Information Science and Learning Technologies, MU Extension Food and Nutrition, the MU College of Veterinary Medicine, Mizzou Career Services and the MU Office of Research.
Black said collaborations between the Mizzou Center and businesses would be on a regional level.
“I think it’s an exciting thing for the Kansas City area to have a greater impact and an opportunity not only for the University but alumni, students and to bring in more jobs,” Black said. “The Mizzou Center will also hopefully open opportunities for more people to be involved with the university.”