Rome, N.Y. – The Griffiss Institute is proud to announce a milestone in its mission to foster collaborative talent and technology development. With the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Le Moyne College, Griffiss Institute expands its Innovare Alliance, welcoming the institution as its tenth partner. The partnership aims to expand access to high-quality educational, training, research, and entrepreneurial opportunities in the communities they serve, while leveraging interorganizational synergies among Upstate New York’s academic, industrial, and defense sectors. The goal is to advance technical and professional development disciplines and nurture a skilled workforce to drive growth and prosperity in the region.
With Le Moyne College joining the Innovare Alliance, the collaboration will usher in new focus on entrepreneurship. Griffiss Institute and Le Moyne College have committed to enabling businesses to start strong and grow healthy in Upstate New York by nurturing a skilled and innovative workforce, helping the region stay competitive and at the forefront of technological advancements.
Oneida County Executive, Anthony Picente, praised the collaboration, saying, “The partnership between Griffiss Institute and Le Moyne College holds immense potential for our region’s growth and development. By combining their expertise and resources, they will foster innovation, cultivate talent, and drive economic progress in Upstate New York. I commend both institutions for their commitment to strengthening our community and providing our workforce with valuable opportunities.”
“Le Moyne brings to the Alliance a demonstrated commitment to encouraging contemplation and action, building a well-developed mind, generous heart, and reflective soul. In a fast-paced world of technology innovation and disruption, Le Moyne’s time-tested values and discipline encourage agents of change to act responsibly. This an excellent complement to the Innovare Alliance’s diverse and innovative techniques in STEM and entrepreneurship.” – Heather Hage, President, and CEO of Griffiss Institute.
Le Moyne College, Central New York’s only Jesuit college, brings its rich history of excellence and values-based academic programs to the Innovare Alliance. President Dr. Linda LeMura expressed her excitement about the partnership, stating, “At Le Moyne, we believe in providing our students with the best of all worlds – a values-based academic program grounded in the liberal arts and sciences, combined with technical training and essential skills. Joining the Innovare Alliance will offer unprecedented experiential learning and venture development opportunities to our faculty, staff, students, and alumni, empowering them to thrive in their chosen fields.”
“At Griffiss Institute, we believe that innovation flourishes through collaboration, and Le Moyne College will be an invaluable partner in this journey. Together, we are discovering new solutions, and cultivating an environment that encourages risk-taking and creativity. I commend the entrepreneurial spirit that Le Moyne College brings to the table and am confident that our joint efforts will lead to pioneering ventures that positively impact our communities and industries alike,” said Seth Mulligan, Sr. Director of Innovation and Partnerships, Griffiss Institute. “These projects will not only contribute to economic growth in our region but also embody our dedication to empowering aspiring entrepreneurs. Through mentorship, resources, and industry insights, we are providing a launchpad for bright minds to turn their visions into reality. We are excited to work with Le Moyne, collaborating with the strong programs they have developed at the Kennan Center, like the MakerSpace and Dolphin Tank.”
“ERIE 21, an exemplary initiative from Le Moyne College, has showcased how strategic collaborations can create transformative opportunities for students and educators alike. This program’s success has inspired us at Griffiss Institute, and we are eager to join forces with Le Moyne to amplify its impact across the region,” said Todd Humiston, Director of Talent Development, Griffiss Institute. “By leveraging the strengths of both institutions, we aim to expand STEM opportunities and inspire young minds through innovative educational programs and experiential learning. Our collective vision is to create an ecosystem where students from diverse backgrounds can explore their potential in STEM fields, supported by mentorship, cutting-edge resources, and real-world experiences.
“The agreement between Griffiss Institute and Le Moyne College is vital, as we embark on a journey to revolutionize K-12 STEM camps and pave the way for unparalleled tech entrepreneurial opportunities. Together, we will ignite the spark of innovation in young minds, fostering a generation of creative thinkers and problem solvers. Our partnership will bridge the gap between academia and industry, empowering students to shape the future with cutting-edge technologies and boundless imagination.” – Matt Read, Spatchcock Funk Co-Creator, and Professor of Practice, Le Moyne College.
The collaboration between the two institutions will pave the way for new, collaborative programs aimed at growing the pool of skilled individuals prepared to work in engineering, computer, and mathematical occupations in Upstate New York. Furthermore, the Parties will provide an environment conducive to the creation of innovative ideas, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and mentorship to accelerate their development into commercially viable technologies.
The Innovare Alliance is a consortium of nine entities, including Griffiss Institute, Air Force Research Laboratory, Oneida County, the City of Rome, NYSTEC, State University of New York, Central New York Defense Alliance, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Binghamton University that is focused on accelerating the development and deployment of emerging technologies for national defense and commercial markets. The alliance brings together expertise from academia, industry, and government to facilitate collaboration, innovation, and technology transfer. Through the Innovare partnership, allies share resources, expertise, and knowledge to advance research and development in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, and more. The goal of the Innovare alliance is to drive economic growth, strengthen national security, and improve the quality of life for people around the world through the development and deployment of emerging technologies.
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About Innovare Advancement Center:
The Innovare Advancement Center is a world-class research and collaboration destination with resources rivaling top-tier laboratories. The Center is the focal point of a growing Innovare family that enables discoveries in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, quantum, and unmanned aerial systems – interconnected physically and to a vast network of knowledge and expertise. Home to 40,000 square feet of high-tech and high-speed communications-enabled working spaces, the Innovare Advancement Center also boasts an auditorium with a capacity for over 150 people and an access point to the NY UAS Test Site – a 50-mile drone corridor for advanced uncrewed aircraft operations. Learn more at innovare.org.
About Le Moyne College:
One of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States, Le Moyne College is a private, four-year institution enrolling approximately 2,500 full-time undergraduate students in programs of liberal arts, science, business and pre-professional studies, and 800 full- and part-time students in graduate programs in nursing, education, business administration, information systems, physician assistant studies, occupational therapy, arts administration and mental health counseling. Since its founding in 1946, the College has modeled and strengthened the nearly 500-year-old Jesuit educational tradition. Visit lemoyne.edu for more information.
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