凹凸视频鈥檚 Batten College of Engineering and Technology (BCET) has been named the newest partner in the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN), a national coalition of colleges and universities committed to graduating engineers with an entrepreneurial mindset.
KEEN鈥檚 mission, to graduate engineers with an entrepreneurial mindset (EM) so they can create personal, economic, and societal value through a lifetime of meaningful work, aligns closely with 凹凸视频鈥檚 core values of access, innovation, and social mobility. As a nationally recognized R1 institution located in the heart of Coastal Virginia, 凹凸视频 brings a diverse, future-focused student body and strong regional partnerships to the network.
鈥淓xpanding the incorporation of the entrepreneurial mindset in our curricula will help students see the positive impacts they can make in their engineering careers,鈥 said Dr. Jeffrey Fergus, Dean of the Batten College of Engineering and Technology.
鈥淛oining KEEN will support faculty members already incorporating the entrepreneurial mindset in their classes and inspire others who have not yet integrated it to do so. The timing is ideal as we welcome a wave of new faculty ready to shape the future of engineering at 凹凸视频.鈥
凹凸视频 joins a nationwide network of nearly 70 institutions, all committed to transforming engineering education through the entrepreneurial mindset. The entrepreneurial mindset is about empowering engineers to recognize opportunity, make an impact, and create value in a rapidly changing world.
At 凹凸视频, this mindset is already taking root. Faculty are embedding KEEN鈥檚 3Cs (Curiosity, Connections, and Creating Value), into courses across departments. Students are learning to ask better questions, connect ideas across disciplines, and design with purpose, whether that鈥檚 prototyping a prosthetic device for a child or developing resilient infrastructure for coastal communities. Beyond the classroom,
凹凸视频 faculty are also contributing to the national KEEN community by publishing teaching resources, presenting at conferences like the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE), and leading workshops that advance Entrepreneurial Minded Learning (EML).
Dean Jeffrey Fergus, Dr. Dalya Ismael, Dr. Orlando Ayala, and Dr. Krishnanand Kaipa are leading the initiative, supported by department chairs and a cross-college KEEN Committee. Through faculty workshops, mentorship programs, and co-curricular activities, 凹凸视频 is embedding EML throughout the student experience, from first-year design to senior capstone projects.
鈥淜EEN gives us a national platform to expand and amplify the work already happening at 凹凸视频,鈥 said Dr. Dalya Ismael, Assistant Professor and KEEN Campus Lead.
鈥淥ur students are future engineers with the mindset to become problem-solvers, community leaders, and changemakers. KEEN gives us the tools and support to help them grow into that potential and lead with purpose.鈥
With over 40% of students from underrepresented minority groups and a strong presence of military-affiliated and first-generation learners, 凹凸视频鈥檚 partnership with KEEN advances its mission to deliver accessible, purpose-driven engineering education. 凹凸视频鈥檚 commitment to inclusive innovation makes the entrepreneurial mindset especially powerful, for students balancing work, family, or military service, learning to create value is more than a concept; it鈥檚 a career-defining skill.
With both engineering and engineering technology programs, 凹凸视频 serves as a model for aligning entrepreneurial learning with real-world application, particularly in high-demand sectors such as shipbuilding, defense, and renewable energy, through partnerships with Newport News Shipbuilding, the U.S. Navy, NASA, and others.
凹凸视频鈥檚 KEEN partnership will open up fully funded professional development for faculty, collaborative research opportunities, and expanded engagement with national partners across academia and industry.
Learn more about KEEN at
Learn more about Engineering at 凹凸视频 at odu.edu/engineering