University of New Haven Launches Corporate Partnership Council to Strengthen Industry Engagement

The University of New Haven has announced the development of a Corporate Partnership Council, a new university-wide initiative designed to deepen and coordinate industry engagement in alignment with the institution’s Strategic Plan and the launch of its Center for Innovation and Applied Technology.

Reporting directly to the President and the Cabinet, the Corporate Partnership Council will serve as the central coordinating body for advancing external partnerships across the University. The council supports the University’s strategic priorities, with a focus on strengthening relationships with industry partners, expanding experiential learning opportunities, and advancing innovation, workforce and human capital development, and talent placement.

“The Corporate Partnership Council represents a critical step forward in how we engage with industry partners,” said University of New Haven President Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D. “By creating a coordinated, University-wide approach, we are ensuring that our partnerships are strategic, impactful, and aligned with our academic strengths and student success goals. This structure allows us to speak with one voice while creating a clear and value proposition that maximizes opportunities for our students, faculty, and partners.”

The council will focus on expanding partnerships across key sectors aligned with academic and career clusters and coordinating external engagement to ensure institutional visibility and awareness.

This “One University, One Voice” approach creates a clear front door for organizations seeking to collaborate with the University of New Haven, ensuring engagement efforts are efficient and impactful.

The council’s work endeavors to deliver value across four strategic focus areas:

• Strategic Industry Engagement, cultivating and managing relationships for mutual benefit
• Talent Development and Placement, expanding internships, job placements, capstone projects, industry-sponsored research, and certifications
• Sustainable Revenue Growth, developing partnerships that support long-term financial growth for industry and the University
• Brand Visibility and Reputation, strengthening the University’s recognition through strategic collaborations

Industry engagement will be both proactive and responsive, guided by the University’s strengths in academic programming, faculty expertise and research, innovation, alumni networks, and workforce development.

The Corporate Partnership Council will operate through a matrix structure that includes a Cabinet-level leader, a leadership team, and a council of representatives from across the University who actively engage with external stakeholders.

The initiative is being led by Paul Lavoie, vice president of innovation and applied technology, whose extensive background in industry and public-private collaboration positions the University to strengthen and expand its corporate partnerships.

“This council is about building intentional, high-value relationships that benefit everyone involved,” said Lavoie. “By aligning our industry engagement efforts across campus, we can create meaningful opportunities for students, support faculty innovation, and position the University of New Haven as a trusted partner for industry.”

The Leadership Team will drive operational and strategic direction, including outreach to prospective partners and oversee the management of existing relationships. Members include Tim Butler, director of corporate partnerships and employer relations; Matt Caporale, executive director of career development; James Barone, director of development and engineering relations; and Desmond Anderson ‘12, ‘25 M.A., assistant director of employer relations.

Through coordinated partnerships, the University aims to enhance student career readiness, expand applied learning experiences, and support innovation that meets real-world workforce and industry needs.

“This is about connecting education and industry in a way that is intentional and scalable,” President Frederiksen said. “The Corporate Partnership Council helps ensure that our external engagement directly supports our mission of delivering an unparalleled return on investment and creating bright futures for our students.”