Kiran George, the recently appointed associate dean of Graduate Programs, Faculty Research, and Innovation, is pivotal in guiding College of Engineering and Computer Science graduate programs, fostering faculty engagement in research, and nurturing the ECS Innovation Ecosystem.
Along with managing the graduate program curriculum, George – a professor and former vice chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering – leads the college’s graduate recruitment and retention initiatives, helps coordinate internships, and supports graduate orientation. He is also developing and overseeing programs that encourage faculty research and scholarship; facilitating access to resources, funding opportunities, and training; and coordinating the planning for and the efficient use of research space, equipment, and facilities to promote collaborative work.
For the innovation aspect of his new role, George is involved in planning and designing the new ECS Innovation Hub, researches and summarizes best practices related to engineering and computer science roles within the Innovation Ecosystem, and represents the college in community partnerships that bring exposure, resources, and other value to ECS.
“My work as an Innovation Fellow [his previous title] has provided me with critical experience and insights that have directly enhanced my effectiveness in my current role,” George says. “This foundation has empowered me to lead and support the college’s growth in research, education, and innovation. Through my previous role, I gained a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of cultivating a thriving Innovation Ecosystem within the college, such as establishing strategic partnerships with industry and community stakeholders, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and encouraging faculty and student entrepreneurial initiatives.”
George says as an Innovation Fellow, he sharpened his skills in developing and implementing programs and initiatives that drive growth, improve the college’s reputation, and align with broader institutional objectives.
Introducing an Innovation Launchpad
George recently received a $30,000 grant from VentureWell – a not-for-profit organization committed to funding, training, coaching, and early investment that brings student innovations to market – for the ECS Innovation Launchpad program. This program includes the ECS Innovation Idea Prototyping Hub, which will augment and complement efforts by the Center for Entrepreneurship, housed in the CSUF College of Business and Economics, to encourage student entrepreneurial initiatives.
“The Launchpad will fill current gaps in expertise and provide tailored support for ECS students in their entrepreneurial endeavors,” George says. “The Prototyping Hub will backfill the lack of support for teams’ critical process of developing minimum viable products, or MVPs, for early-stage ideas. The absence of specialized support for engineering and computer science majors, along with challenges in creating MVPs, poses potential obstacles to the effective nurturing of innovation and ventures within the CSUF Entrepreneurship Ecosystem.”
George and Launchpad collaborators will work with the Center for Entrepreneurship to establish a structured workflow for a 30-week program, outlining the ECS Innovation Launchpad participant journey from application to project completion, clearly defining roles between CSUF Entrepreneurship and the ECS Innovation Launchpad team. He says they will establish the ECS Innovation Idea Prototyping Hub, which will serve as a cost-free resource center for program participants to rapidly prototype and test their innovative ideas.
“A soft launch of the ECS Innovation Launchpad will allow us to assess its success by engaging at least three participating teams, and evaluating their experiences and outcomes,” George says.
The comprehensive workflow will be designed to facilitate students’ exploration of innovation and entrepreneurship, providing a unique opportunity to collaborate with real-world entrepreneurs. Upon acceptance, students will embark on an entrepreneurial journey to address problems, validate solutions through the creation of an MVP with assistance from a student-led prototyping team, build their company, and gain traction.
“Surrounded by experienced advisors, mentors, and domain experts, participants will benefit from a supportive environment, a structured curriculum, and resources, including technical assistance for prototype development, to enhance their entrepreneurial pursuits,” George says.
This initiative promises to be a catalyst for translating imaginative ideas into tangible real-world solutions, contributing to the growth and dynamism of Cal State Fullerton’s innovation and entrepreneurship landscape.
