In January 2024, the University of Wyoming took a transformative step toward bridging the gap between the University of Wyoming and industry partners by establishing the Office of Industry and Strategic Partnerships (OISP). OISP is designed to serve as the university’s primary liaison for industry engagement.

“With the formation of the Office of Industry and Strategic Partnerships, UW is poised to enhance its relationships with our local, national, and international business partners, which will drive greater success for our students, faculty, staff, and the greater UW community,” UW President Ed Seidel says.

OISP connects companies to UW to create meaningful partnerships. These partnerships highlight opportunities for UW faculty and subject-matter experts, foster cutting-edge research, direct curricula and experiential learning, enhance graduate hiring, and generate investment to support the university.

This pioneering initiative emerged from a collaborative vision between UW’s Research and Economic Development Division and the UW Foundation that aims to support
and expand relationships across diverse industries, offering a coordinated and comprehensive approach to private investment.

“UW has potential to increase its sponsored funding and experiential learning opportunities from industry and nongovernmental organizations,” says Parag Chitnis, vice president for research and economic development. 

“We aim to build a culture of working with industry on campus,” says Angela Ver Ploeg, senior director of corporate engagement, who leads the office. “The creation of this office signaled a new era for UW—bringing faculty expertise, student talent, and program offerings together in a coordinated way. We are creating a lasting impact for our university and our industry partners.”

The office’s creation coincides with UW’s achievement of Carnegie R1 status—the highest level of research activity—which positions Wyoming’s only four-year university among the nation’s most elite research institutions. With research expenditures reaching $166 million annually—an impressive 78 percent increase since 2021—the university is positioned to be a strong partner with industry, and a dedicated mechanism to facilitate meaningful industry partnerships is more important than ever.

The office’s importance goes far beyond networking. It represents UW’s commitment to innovation, creating pathways for cutting-edge research to reach commercial applications and providing students with real-world learning opportunities. By connecting UW’s academic expertise with industry needs, OISP serves as a catalyst for job creation, technology transfer, and sustainable economic growth throughout the region, embodying the university’s
land-grant mission to serve the people of Wyoming.