Operational Center

The operational center of DICE will be based in the Mechanical Engineering Department.  The director will be a member of the Mechanical Engineering Department.  Two Associate Directors will be from the Mechanical Engineering Department.  The Center will be initiated and led by Dr. E. G. Keshock (Director), with Dr. J. Sawicki, and Dr. J. Frater acting as Associate Directors. 

Development of Synergies/Partnerships/Collaboration

Part of the responsibilities of the Center Directors will be to create synergies and complement activities of agencies and organizations such as the following: 

1. CSU College of Business
2. CSU College of Urban Affairs
3. CSU College of Arts and Sciences
4. Cleveland Clinic Foundation
5. Akron General Medical Center
6. MAGNET (especially re product development activities)
7. City of Akron’s Invention Center
8. Cleveland Institute of Art
9. Lorain County Community College Entrepreneurship Innovation Institute
10. Baldwin-Wallace College Center for Innovation and Growth
11. Great Lakes Science Center
12. NASA
13. Wright Center (Dayton)
14. Edison Centers, State of Ohio
15. Battelle Institute, Technology Transfer Office, Cleveland

                                                                                                                                  
Responsibilities of the Associate Director and Mr. Terrell Pim, of Systems Technology Research Institute  will include:

1. Establishing relationships with the above and similar institutions to achieve the goals and objectives of DICE.
2. Seeking and identifying design projects from regional companies, medical facilities, national laboratories, etc.
3. Identify and seek potential sources of funding for support of all project activity described/defined herein.
4. Advise Center Directors and Advisory Committee of results and progress obtained re the above.
5. Advise Center Directors and Advisory Committee of methods for efficient management of project activities and reporting those results/accomplishments.
6. Advise Center Directors and Advisory Committee regarding implementation of entrepreneurial courses, graduate student internships/assignments, and international internship program.
7. Organize and participate in summer outreach programs.
8. Develop specific plans for implementation of year-round outreach programs to high school and elementary school students, and participate in such outreach programs if and as necessary.

These advisory/planning activities will be presented to Center Directors on a continuing basis and at least once each term to the Advisory Committee.

            The entire operation of the Center will be reviewed by the Advisory Committee, Dean of the College of Engineering, Director of Technology Transfer, and the Provost’s office annually. 

Facilities and Organization of Center

All present senior capstone design courses in the College of Engineering will serve as a (renewable) basis and starting point for the Center’s productivity.  Design/ innovation teams will be centered in engineering departments, as per current practice, but perhaps involving members from other departments within the College as required.  The nature and scope of the project may even involve or require faculty/students from other Colleges of the university, as appropriate or required.  No modifications to the curriculum of all departments within the College of Engineering are required.