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Rich McLaughlin, Sediment and Erosion Control Research and Education Facility extension specialist, explains the erosion control simulator at the Lake Wheeler Road test site.  

Outreach

"University engagement and economic development mean partnerships-intense relationships with others. We are not simply from the government and here to help; we are a partner in the process. That means we must be creative, collaborative and the activities must be mutually beneficial."

Vice Chancellor James Zuiches

Improving life and the economy in NC and beyond

NC State is a land-grant institution charged with bettering the people, communities and industries of North Carolina. As a result, our outreach activities encompass every college and department. We interweave course requirements and community involvement through a formal Center for Excellence in Curricular Engagement and by encouraging other forms of faculty and student community service.

In addition, we sponsor many formal extension programs to educate industry professionals and the public at large about a variety of topics, while our engagement initiatives link faculty and students with communities, businesses and non-profits in every corner of the state. Our technology transfer initiatives and economic development efforts are setting new standards for job creation and cooperation between the public, private sectors and government.

Our emphasis on reaching beyond campus is also evident in our many partnerships with outside organizations and in the facilities we maintain to support our outreach programs:

• North Carolina Cooperative Extension, a joint effort with NC A&T State University, provides more than 2.2 million citizens in each of the state’s 100 counties with educational programs, publications and events on topics ranging from enhancing agricultural, forest and food systems to developing responsible youth and strengthening families.
• Similarly, the Industrial Extension Service (IES) helps businesses increase efficiency, productivity and quality through the use of the latest technologies and best practices in engineering and business management. IES has returned nearly $540 million in direct annual gain to the state over the past five years.
• NC State’s Centennial Campus is a unique technopolis where university, corporate and government facilities intertwine in an environment that accelerates the process of innovation assessment and market commercialization of new technologies, processes and services.
• The McKimmon Center for Extension and Continuing Education develops and sponsors a variety of programs open to the public involving computer and management training, community and professional development, continuing education, technical services and educational support.
• Our Extension, Engagement and Economic Development Office facilitates economic development relationships both within the University and externally.
• The Nanotechnology Initiative, which promotes outreach to industry and educational outreach to K-12 students and community members.  
• Our Center for Urban Affairs & Community Services offers public schools, government agencies and municipalities the expertise of NC State researchers to help them make more informed public policy decisions.