Changes
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= Overview—Leadership & Advocacy <br/> =
Currently the University of Michigan is undergoing a major shift in leadership with the recent inauguration of University President Mark Schlissel. Although untested he continues to champion the ideals of the previous president, Mary Sue Coleman who over the past twelve years has pushed the entrepreneurship and innovation community at the University of Michigan to new heights. From 2002-2014 The University of Michigan and its president, Mary Sue Coleman, have played leadership and advocacy roles in promoting innovation and research commercialization at the nation’s universities. The university has prioritized innovation and entrepreneurship’s role in economic development prior to the development of the NACIE commitment letter; for the last several years, major strategic priorities for the University of Michigan include stimulating economic development and growth in Michigan and beyond through innovation and entrepreneurship.
President Coleman’s decision to spearhead the NACIE commitment letter is a natural extension of the innovation and commercialization culture at U-M. Even so, the NACIE Letter has had a “'''conscious raising'''” effect on the innovative culture at U-M. Innovation and commercialization is a key focus of the activities of the president, executive officers, faculty, and staff at U-M. The outcome of this focus is reflected in the expanding array of programs, policies, relationships, and activities aimed at spurring innovation and entrepreneurship on campus, in the region, and across the nation. As part of U-M’s strategy, many aspects of this commitment are highlighted regularly in university outreach and communications, ranging from speeches by senior executives to a central website accessible from the university’s home page.