The Tippie College of Business is moving decisively to expand strategic partnerships across industries and geographies by launching the Office of Strategic Partnerships this summer.

“When companies are facing a business challenge, we want them to think of Tippie as their solution,” said Amy Kristof-Brown, dean of the Tippie College of Business who initiated the program. “Our vision for the Office of Strategic Partnerships is to concentrate on developing productive relationships with all aspects of the business community in Iowa and other states, including corporations, nonprofits, and community associations. It will draw together the resources of the college to deepen and broaden connections with these organizations. It’s a win-win situation because our partners gain solutions and the college gains greater visibility.”

This new initiative will pull together current pockets of engagement across the college.

• The Tippie Analytics Cooperative is the industry-facing arm for all things analytics. They build partnerships throughout the region that result in hands-on projects for its students and data-based business decisions for its clients.
• The Marketing Institute partners with outside business clients on marketing challenges.
• The Tippie Leadership Collaborative is a resource hub for companies and nonprofits looking for management expertise through expert speakers, custom executive education, and research partnerships.
• The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center is a significant boost to economic development within the region with its focus on small businesses and startups.

The Office of Strategic Partnerships will serve as a coordinated effort to build long-lasting relationships with partner organizations and provide an easy, single point of entry and connection to collegiate resources.

Building corporate partnerships will increase the number of student projects, live case studies, and consulting opportunities students and faculty will have using real-world data. Strong engagement with students will help organizations solve business problems and expose them to a high-quality workforce. If done well, positive strategic partnerships could also lead to increased corporate-generated philanthropic support for the college’s mission.

“We are striving to be a catalyst for transformation through thought leadership, educating innovative problem solvers, and productive partnerships,” Kristof-Brown said. “This is a bold step toward that vision.”

The office’s first executive director will be announced soon.