Establishing Cooperative Education Program to Drive Sustainable Industry Engagements
Assisted the School of Engineering in creating an “innovation-centric” program for students.
The Challenge
The School of Engineering at Case Western Reserve University needed a way to engage industry partners with students in the new innovation and entrepreneurship center, Sears think[box]. The objective was to enhance and expand the established cooperative education program and provide Northeast Ohio organizations with unique access to Case Western Reserve’s resources including students, faculty and facilities.
Sears think[box] needed guidance to develop a new student program and company engagement model that connected students with local companies on innovative, hands-on projects.
The Outcome
The Lanterman Group identified the value proposition for Northeast Ohio organizations to work with Sears think[box]. Through interviews with organizations, students, and faculty, The Lanterman Group uncovered unmet needs of companies and created program alignment with students and faculty.
The Lanterman Group conducted a strategic assessment of the industry and developed four program structures, including a summer innovation program piloted in 2016 to partner companies with student teams working on design challenges.
The projects created in the pilot program engaged local organizations, students, faculty, and Sears think[box] facilities in meaningful project worked.