Debra Franklin Email and Phone Number

Leads the university in identifying and engaging in market-driven technology development that empowers equitable adoption of productivity-enhancing emerging technologies for sustainable, precision manufacturing competitiveness and profitability. Franklin connects industry with WSU facilities, faculty, and students as problem solvers to explore, evaluate, customize, and implement new technology and strategies. Strategic Initiatives performs economic development, program management for Federal… Show more Leads the university in identifying and engaging in market-driven technology development that empowers equitable adoption of productivity-enhancing emerging technologies for sustainable, precision manufacturing competitiveness and profitability. Franklin connects industry with WSU facilities, faculty, and students as problem solvers to explore, evaluate, customize, and implement new technology and strategies. Strategic Initiatives performs economic development, program management for Federal awards, and other industry-based strategic initiatives and has developed an expertise in strategic planning and overseeing programs being run underneath Federal awards. Show less

Leads the university in identifying and engaging in the implementation of technologies that increase quality, productivity and profit. The Office of Strategic Initiatives, located in John Bardo Center room 163, connects university faculty and staff with industry, innovators and students to explore, evaluate, customize and implement new technology and initiatives.

As director of strategic university initiatives, I coordinate, prioritize, and pursue resources for the regional advanced manufacturing strategic plan initiatives, collaborate with partner institutions to provide technical assistance to existing businesses and startup firms for technology transfer and transition/migration, and develop university-level proposals for government grants and contracts. I am committed to advancing an innovation ecosystem with industry that promotes technology-based… Show more As director of strategic university initiatives, I coordinate, prioritize, and pursue resources for the regional advanced manufacturing strategic plan initiatives, collaborate with partner institutions to provide technical assistance to existing businesses and startup firms for technology transfer and transition/migration, and develop university-level proposals for government grants and contracts. I am committed to advancing an innovation ecosystem with industry that promotes technology-based economic development. Show less

• Assisted business, faculty, employees and students in seizing opportunities to accelerate the discovery, creation and transfer of new knowledge in commercial products or processes.• Assessed commercial potential of intellectual property, promoted corporate alliances, advocated for faculty entrepreneurial activities and strategically partnered with other campus units and collaborative partners.

Founding member of the Center for Innovation and Enterprise Engagement, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas• Developed, prioritized and implemented the vision and goals for the center.• Established center governance board.• Coordinated day to day operation of the center, identify applied advanced manufacturing research needs, conduct advanced manufacturing industry surveys to establish employment and technology needs, and support development of process solutions plans… Show more Founding member of the Center for Innovation and Enterprise Engagement, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas• Developed, prioritized and implemented the vision and goals for the center.• Established center governance board.• Coordinated day to day operation of the center, identify applied advanced manufacturing research needs, conduct advanced manufacturing industry surveys to establish employment and technology needs, and support development of process solutions plans, business development plans and or workforce strategies to respond to business needs.• Developed grants and engaged in revenue generating activities to expand the reach of the center. • Interacted with key collaborating economic development and workforce partners throughout the south central Kansas region. Show less

W. Frank Barton School of Business• Instructed undergraduate course in Microeconomics.

• Conducted research projects such as population forecasts, occupational forecasts, labor market profiles, demographic and labor force policy analyses, market and industry analyses and other issues related to regional population and labor force trends and issues.• Responsible for development and implementation of the $5 million U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development grant and monitoring and reporting of the goals and metrics. • Collaborated with… Show more • Conducted research projects such as population forecasts, occupational forecasts, labor market profiles, demographic and labor force policy analyses, market and industry analyses and other issues related to regional population and labor force trends and issues.• Responsible for development and implementation of the $5 million U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development grant and monitoring and reporting of the goals and metrics. • Collaborated with funded partners to provide requested assistance and resources so they could achieve and exceed their strategy goals. • Award: Excellence in Urban or Suburban Economic Development Finalist, Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Excellence in Economic Development Awards 2009• Award: Award of Excellence Finalist: Excellence in Workforce Development, University Economic Development Association, 2009 Show less

• Conducted longitudinal research of disaster clients and consulted with local government, non-profit and social service agencies to align resources more efficiently to meet the needs of dislocated citizens. • Developed, maintained and operated systems to manage ARC disaster service volunteers.• Maintained and operated Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR) to ensure compliance with national training, certification of volunteers, and timely deployment to disaster locations.