Innovation Campus director has short USU stay
J. Michael Brooks, associate vice president for research and economic development and director of Innovation Campus at Utah State University, will leave USU in July to assume the president/CEO position for the Indiana Health Industry Forum.
“I have enjoyed my brief tenure with Utah State and, in particular, working with such wonderful people,” said Brooks. “I have learned a great deal, and I know that this experience will be beneficial for the rest of my career. It will be difficult to leave Logan.”
In 2004, USU’s Innovation Campus was given the Award for Excellence in Economic Development by the U.S. Department of Commerce as one of the best places in the nation for rural economic development. The Department of Commerce subsequently awarded Innovation campus a $2.5 million grant for development of the Grand Avenue, the future main thoroughfare of the campus. Since his arrival, Brooks has prepared the way for additional growth at Innovation Campus.
As associate vice president for research and economic development, Brooks also strengthened ties with USU’s Technology Commercialization Office, assisting with its revitalization. He also provided knowledge and expertise to the statewide USTAR initiative, which will result in significant investments in high-tech university research to create economic growth.
“Mike has provided leadership and vision to our statewide economic development efforts at Utah State,” said Brent Miller, Utah State’s vice president for research. “He has helped promote growth at Innovation Campus and has also been instrumental to Utah’s statewide economic development initiative. He will certainly be missed.”
Brooks came to Utah State in September 2004 with 23 years’ experience in a university community, including 13 years as president of Lafayette-West Lafayettte Economic Development Corporation in Indiana, where he collaborated on technology-based efforts with Purdue University.
“Although we are sad to see Mike go, we wish him and his wife, Kitty, the best as they pursue this new opportunity,” said Miller.