Higher education is on the precipice of radical change that will require innovative approaches to education to remain relevant to students and employers. Weber State University is not immune to this change. The way WSU has operated over the last 50 years will not be how the institution functions over the next half-century. Universities that embrace change and are willing to adapt and innovate to meet the needs of the future will not only survive, but thrive. Those that do not embrace the inevitable change run the risk of becoming irrelevant or even nonexistent.

Right now, higher education is faced with societal and industrial challenges locally, regionally, nationally and globally. In an effort to help address challenges, we consider the “university of the future,” where faculty expertise and applied research will involve students in a collaborative effort to solve the pressing issues that threaten our social, economic, cultural and environmental well-being. Ultimately, this approach to higher education prepares students to transition from education to industry, equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to overcome obstacles and challenges, and work effectively and efficiently in the workforce and our communities.

As we explore this solutions-based approach to higher education, we could not help but think about signature clusters. Signature clusters in higher education package academic programs with community and/or industry partners who are faced with a challenge for which they need a solution. The signature cluster is focused on a specific topic, theme or set of challenges and provides a living lab for students to work toward solutions under the mentorship of both faculty and industry/community experts. As such, signature clusters allow for innovation by creating a fully immersive student experience while providing employers with turn-key employees. This approach includes internships, apprenticeships, on-the-job training and certifications, which provides students with real, hands-on experience in the fields they are pursuing. Use of signature clusters is one way that Weber State can respond to the changing landscape of higher education and societal and industrial challenges while meeting the needs of students and employers.

Students who engage in signature clusters will receive a wage, real-world experience and a college degree. We believe that signature clusters will also promote faculty participation in applied research and will help to solve some of the toughest and most unique challenges that face industries and the community. The clusters will braid academic programs with industry and community partners in order to research, test and implement solutions.

There are some great examples of signature clusters working at universities, including the National Institute of Aviation Research at Wichita State University in Kansas. Wichita State University uses a signature cluster model that is nationally recognized for commercial aerospace. Incidentally, Wichita State is the only university in Kansas that has seen an increase in enrollment over the last five years. NIAR employs nearly 700 undergraduate students at any given time, and students participating in the cluster have an incredibly high retention rate. Folks at NIAR correlate the high retention rate with the relationships among faculty, staff and students, as well as the immersive student experience. The clusters’ retention rates have ultimately led to higher graduation rates and successful industry placement and workforce success. Weber State University has invested $25 million into the Miller Advanced Research & Solutions facility as a signature cluster that will focus on the aerospace and defense ecosystem.

Clusters provide students with employment opportunities for which they earn a wage and, in return, students help solve the problems and challenges faced by cluster employers. Students will help to solve employer problems as a part of their academic studies by working alongside Weber State faculty and staff. Through this process, students will acquire academic and workplace training, knowledge and credentials. When a student graduates, they will smoothly transition from higher education to the workforce, having gained an education and relevant work experience through the cluster program. Students can enter the workforce and hit the ground running without employers having to spend additional time, money and other resources to train them.

The creation of a signature cluster program at Weber State University promotes a positive symbiotic relationship between academia and community and industry partners in Utah. Existing cluster models demonstrate high retention and completion rates, which have been linked to students’ sense of belonging. This belonging has led to student persistence and degree completion. As students remain at the core of Weber State’s mission and initiatives, we believe a signature cluster program will be one more academic offering that will positively impact students and the university. This positive impact will also extend to Utah’s industry employers and community organizations, as they will work in tandem with the university to prepare students to solve societal and industry challenges and prepare them for the workforce. Students will gain real-world experience while earning a degree in order to successfully transition from education to industry.

Brenda Kowalewski is the associate provost for High Impact Programs & Faculty Excellence at Weber State University. James Taylor is the executive director of innovation, commercialization, sponsored projects, and research at WSU.

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