East Greensboro, NC (April 4, 2025) – Representatives of nearly a dozen colleges and historically black universities (HBCU) have recently visited the Campus of the State University and North Carolina to reflect on ways of advancing technology and marketing
NC A&T, The Commercializer, LLC, and the Universities Foundation of 1890 co-organized the first symposium for technology technology technology (T2) technology (T2), bringing together opinion leaders, researchers and industry experts to explore the means to promote innovation and stimulate technology transfer and marketing capacities.
Sponsored by Microsoft, this event attracted more than 30 participants who worked together to identify the strategies concerning the unique challenges with which HBCUs are faced in technology transfer, the creation of stronger innovation ecosystems in various sectors and the creation of economic development possibilities.
The symposium presented a round table of experts with Abdellah Ahmidouch, Ph.D., dean of A&T College of Science and Technology; Joey Cheek, executive vice-president of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce; Geoffrey Foster ’90, ’96, assistant professor at the Applied Engineering Technology Department of A&T and CEO of Core Moling Corp.; Stephanie Luster-Teasley Pass ’96, Ph.D., dean of the A & T’s College of Engineering; Tim Minor, Vice-Chancellor of A&T for strategic partnerships and economic development; Hossein Sarrafzadeh, Ph.D., distinguished professor and director of the Center of Excellence of A&T in cybersecurity; Doug Speight, CEO of Axnano; and Stephen Susalka, CEO of autm.
The main discussions included filling the gap between the research and the impact of the real world, the strengthening of institutional infrastructure and the expression of research, the protection of intellectual property and marketing to empower communities.
Participants and panelists have agreed that this inaugural event is a step towards a future where HBCU leads to technology transfer and stimulate economic impact.