Driving innovation and growth through higher education

It’s an exciting time in North Carolina as we witness the steady influx of life sciences companies and the near completion of expansive high-tech manufacturing facilities. These developments mark a pivotal moment in our state's growth and innovation.

It’s also an exciting time at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T), where the spirit of innovation and progress thrives alongside the state’s advancements. Over the last five to 10 years, the university has gained remarkable momentum, solidifying its position as the largest HBCU in the nation. 

We now graduate more black students in engineering and STEAM-related fields than any other school in the U.S. Our research portfolio has also reached nearly $150 million, which has garnered interest from companies who recognize that we are becoming an engine for innovation in the Piedmont Triad. 

This growth led to the establishment of the vice chancellor of strategic partnerships position at NC A&T in 2023, underscoring the university’s commitment to fostering collaborative endeavors and driving further innovation. In this role, I strategically engage with various industries and governmental bodies looking to enhance their impact on the state. 

We work together to expand research endeavors, facilitate the commercialization of our innovations, and foster new enterprises. We are also collaborating with mega-sites to address their workforce and research requirements and use our research campus to house industry entities like the Centennial Campus at NC State. 

From tobacco to high tech

Companies are flocking to North Carolina because they see how over the last 40 to 50 years the state has shifted from an economy focused on textiles and tobacco to one that emphasizes advanced technology and the life sciences. The North Carolina Biotechnology Center has been vital in this economic transition by providing biotech grants and helping fill workforce and innovation gaps while also providing an important link for new businesses coming to the state. 

The impactful work of NCBiotech has not only revitalized the state’s economy but also significantly benefited higher education. NCBiotech has always been a true partner, not only for NC A&T, but to all the state’s universities, through its invaluable support and advocacy for higher education.

Anytime we have a big idea involving the life sciences ecosystem, one of our first calls is to the NCBiotech team. Although we all benefit from its resources, NCBiotech is particularly valuable to smaller institutions that may lack the means to commercialize technology or apply for large federal grants. Wonderful things are happening all over our state, but not every institution has the resources or manpower to flesh out those ideas. 

When I came to NC A&T a year ago, we decided to apply for a federal Tech Hubs Grant. Our team collaborated closely with NCBiotech to develop this proposal, which would expand the bioeconomy beyond the renowned Research Triangle Park to encompass the Piedmont Triad and surrounding regions. 

This initiative, which we called Triangle to Triad, aimed to broaden our area’s impact in research, science, workforce development, and economic growth. While we faced setbacks in securing funding for a tech hub, we remain committed to realizing this vision by leveraging partnerships with universities and companies across the state.

Thriving tomorrow

As we look ahead, the future of the life sciences industry in North Carolina is extremely promising. NCBiotech stands as a pivotal force in securing federal funding and facilitating tech transfer, ultimately fueling economic growth and fostering high-paying job opportunities statewide. The state’s burgeoning influence in the life sciences sector is set to expand, promising a brighter future for the state's economy and innovation landscape.

I'm immensely thankful for NCBiotech's remarkable contributions over the past 40 years, which have profoundly influenced our state's growth and prosperity. Congratulations to NCBiotech on this milestone, and here's to another 40 years of continued success and impact!

Timothy Minor is vice chancellor for strategic partnerships at NC A&T.