Inclusive Competitiveness® at Temple Engineering

In today's economy, institutions of higher learning play important roles in driving economic engines. Added to this are their responsibilities in creating social and environmental infrastructures in which everyone will thrive. Consequently, Temple Engineering's Center for Inclusive Competitiveness has developed a strategic plan to produce clearer opportunities for inclusive economic mobility through sustainability related industries across Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania's economy is lagging, in spite of extraordinary natural resources in energy, agriculture and health industries. Ranked #26 for economic growth and #43 for employment (USNews 2017), the Commonwealth is struggling to produce enough talent and entrepreneurs able to build technology enriched urban centers while simultaneously supporting strong rural agriculture across PA. Temple Engineering offers a bridge between rural and urban communities by tying economic growth to engineering infrastructure that improve social and humanitarian outcomes. This paper will present our strategies for engaging diverse faculty, students, community leaders, economic development experts and industry partners in our approach to engineering education for urban sustainability and social justice. The Center is expected to intensify recruitment and retainment of students from urban community as partners.