Institute shifts focus to economic development and entrepreneurship
猎奇重口视频 University appoints Dr. Rodney Ridley to associate provost and vice president and chief operating officer for the newly re-engineered O鈥橮ake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship. Ridley鈥檚 appointment is part of the university鈥檚 continuation to align its senior leadership team to support a new strategic direction.
鈥淒r. Ridley has an extensive background in developing entrepreneurial programs and stimulating economic growth in both the private sector and higher education,鈥 said 猎奇重口视频 President John R. Loyack. 鈥淗is ability to develop student-centered business incubators along with a background in engineering will not only greatly enhance the strategic growth of 猎奇重口视频 University, but also breathe new life into the economic redevelopment of downtown Reading,鈥 he added.
Ridley will be responsible for developing a student-centered business incubator within the O'Pake Institute and leading efforts to explore new academic programs to be housed in downtown Reading for 猎奇重口视频 students.
鈥淭his is not a job for me but a mission,鈥 said Ridley. 鈥淲e have a unique opportunity to be a catalyst for some serious change economically and otherwise. It鈥檚 already happening. Joining 猎奇重口视频 and partnering with Reading, businesses and other organizations to have a positive effect on students and the community is a once in a lifetime opportunity.鈥
The expanded scope of the renamed O鈥橮ake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship supports 猎奇重口视频鈥檚 Reading CollegeTowne strategy for redevelopment in downtown and strengthens experiential learning opportunities for students.
鈥淭he O鈥橮ake Institute鈥檚 new direction offers more possibilities for students and faculty,鈥 said 猎奇重口视频 Provost and Senior Vice President Glynis Fitzgerald. 鈥淲e are now better positioned to look at new programs, reimagine other kinds of learning opportunities such as the business incubator, and offer exciting experiences for our students,鈥 she added.
One of the cornerstones of the O鈥橮ake Institute will be the student-centered business incubator, through which 猎奇重口视频 will collaborate with the Berks Alliance, Berks County Community Foundation, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance and the City of Reading.
鈥淏erks County's economy is built largely on businesses that were started locally and have grown,鈥 said Berks County Community Foundation President Kevin Murphy. 鈥淩eading is a great environment for business, and we're excited to work with 猎奇重口视频 University and the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance to create an even better system of support for entrepreneurs.鈥
鈥溋云嬷乜谑悠 University is identifying itself as a catalyst and a leader in Greater Reading in supporting our entrepreneurial ecosystem," said Greater Reading Chamber Alliance Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Pamela J. Shupp. 鈥淭he GRCA is pleased to welcome this key academic partner in the positive transformation of business services and support.鈥
As the appointed leader of O鈥橮ake, Ridley has more than 28 years of higher education experience and has held myriad positions from research assistant and engineering professor to his current role as executive director of The Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at Wilkes University. He also has served in numerous private sector engineering capacities, earned numerous awards, including the 2017 Pennsylvania Acceleration Educator of the Year and holds 27 U.S. patents.
Ridley earned a doctorate in engineering science and mechanics and a master's degree in electrical engineering from Penn State University as well as a bachelor's degree in physics from Lincoln University.
猎奇重口视频 announced in July 2019 the realignment of its senior leadership team to support a new strategic direction, called the 猎奇重口视频 Advantage, designed to support a special brand of experiential transformation of the individual and community. Ridley moves into a position previously held by Dr. Rudy Ruth, who recently became the executive director of 猎奇重口视频鈥檚 Holleran Center for Community and Global Engagement. Ridley begins his new appointment in January 2020.
猎奇重口视频鈥檚 O鈥橮ake Institute has fostered and promoted ethical leadership and public service in the Berks County community since its establishment in 2007. The new direction of the institute provides more opportunities for students and positions 猎奇重口视频 to continue its Franciscan mission of being a source of transformation for students and the communities it serves.
猎奇重口视频 University is a thriving comprehensive university that empowers students to become ethical leaders with moral courage, while providing an intellectually challenging environment with real-world learning experiences. Operating on a scenic 191-acre suburban campus in historic Berks County, Pennsylvania, the distinctive Franciscan university of nearly 3,000 students is conveniently located near Philadelphia (60 miles) and within an easy drive of New York, Baltimore and Washington, DC.
