Florida Atlantic University is Recognized by APLU as a Champion of Economic Growth and Innovation

BOCA RATON, Fla., Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of its strong commitment to economic engagement, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) designated Florida Atlantic University as an Innovation & Economic Prosperity (IEP) University.

The national designation recognizes public research universities that collaborate with public and private sector partners in their states and regions to support economic development through various activities, including innovation and entrepreneurship, technology transfer, as well as talent, workforce and community development.

The APLU has designated just over 90 higher education institutions as IEP universities.

"This designation is proof of what it means for Florida Atlantic to be our region's 'Hometown University,'" said FAU President Adam Hasner. "Eighty percent of our graduates stay in South Florida, and the work we do here transforms the industries that drive Florida's economy. We're proud to help make this region a leading destination for opportunity and discovery."

FAU earned this distinguished designation after a rigorous, independent review process, engaging with more than 1,000 internal and external stakeholders, including students, alumni, faculty and staff members, as well as community partners, local employers, entrepreneurs, nonprofits and public agencies.

Among the feedback collected, 92.1% of students agreed that Florida Atlantic supports the development and commercialization of technology and 72% to 80% of residents agreed that the university positively impacts the regional economy. These findings reflect a growing recognition of Florida Atlantic's role as an engine for innovation and economic impact.

"Earning the IEP designation was a true institutional effort. Our team visited every college in person to share what IEP means for Florida Atlantic, and deans and leaders connected us with faculty, students, alumni, and other stakeholders whose perspectives shaped the self-study. That collaboration is what made this designation possible," said Sandra D. Marin Ruiz, IEP team lead.

APLU's Commission on Economic and Community Engagement, a national leader in this field, oversees this process, ensuring that universities effectively plan, assess and communicate their impact on economic development.

This designation is also a testament to FAU's ongoing commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of people and the prosperity of its region. It signifies the institution's proactive approach to economic engagement, ensuring that the university's vast resources and expertise are directly applied to societal and economic challenges.

For example, Hasner launched the President's Internship Program for Community Impact in the spring. This initiative creates paid internships that otherwise would not exist, promoting academic connection, civic engagement and workforce readiness in the government and nonprofit sectors. Through philanthropic support and community partnerships, more than 100 paid student internships were created during its inaugural semester.

APLU's IEP program also helps higher education institutions better understand, measure, articulate and continually enhance their contributions to economic and community development. It provides national recognition to universities that have demonstrated a substantive, sustainable and institution-wide commitment to and strategy for regional economic engagement, growth and opportunity.

The recognition of the effectiveness of Florida Atlantic's existing initiatives does not mean the work is complete. The IEP self-study helped the university identify additional opportunities for growth and improvement.

One key priority is ensuring alignment between the university's innovation and economic development efforts and its new five-year strategic plan, "2031FAU: Where Tomorrow Begins." Centered on student success, innovation and geographic advantages, the plan is designed to deliver lasting value to students and the university's communities through discovery and collaboration.

The APLU's IEP designation emphasizes continuous improvement, with designated universities actively sharing best practices and collaborating within a national community of practice to maximize their economic and societal impact.

"Universities are powerful engines for economic growth," said APLU President Waded Cruzado. "From cultivating talent and research breakthroughs to fostering new businesses and enriching communities, public universities play an indispensable role in economic advancement. We are thrilled to recognize Florida Atlantic for its dedication to collaborating with its community to propel regional economic development."

Hasner's blog on the APLU website provides additional details.

About Florida Atlantic University:

Florida Atlantic University is one of the nation's fastest-rising public research universities, serving more than 32,000 students in South Florida. Ranked among the Top 100 Public Universities by U.S. News & World Report, recognized as a Top 25 Best-In-Class College, and cited by Washington Monthly as one of the nation's most effective engines of upward mobility, Florida Atlantic is also one of only 13 institutions nationwide to hold Carnegie Foundation designations for R1 research, opportunity and community engagement. Guided by its strategic plan, "2031FAU: Where Tomorrow Begins," the university is focused on delivering career-ready education and experiential learning, driving scholarly inquiry that creates healthier, safer and more prosperous communities, strengthening institutional excellence, and elevating its impact across South Florida and beyond. Florida Atlantic continues to advance its position as Florida's first quantum university, integrating research, education and industry partnerships around next-generation computing technologies. Through other signature strengths in neuroscience and healthy aging, environmental, ocean and coastal innovation, and national defense and autonomous systems, Florida Atlantic expands knowledge, fuels economic opportunity and fulfills its mission as South Florida's hometown university.

About the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities:

APLU is a membership organization that fosters a community of university leaders collectively working to advance the mission of public research universities. The association's membership consists of more than 250 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and affiliated organizations spanning across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, six U.S. territories, Canada, and Mexico. Annually, member campuses enroll 5.4 million undergraduates and 1.5 million graduate students, award 1.5 million degrees, employ 1.4 million faculty and staff, and conduct $73 billion in university-based research.

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SOURCE Florida Atlantic University