Old ֱ University’s Batten College of Engineering and Technology (BCET) has been named the newest partner in the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN), a national coalition of colleges and universities committed to graduating engineers with an entrepreneurial mindset.
KEEN’s mission, to graduate engineers with an entrepreneurial mindset (EM) so they can create personal, ֱ, and societal value through a lifetime of meaningful work, aligns closely with ODU’s core values of access, innovation, and social mobility. As a nationally recognized R1 institution located in the heart of Coastal Virginia, ODU brings a diverse, future-focused student body and strong regional partnerships to the network.
“Expanding the incorporation of the entrepreneurial mindset in our curricula will help students see the positive impacts they can make in their engineering careers,” said Dr. Jeffrey Fergus, Dean of the Batten College of Engineering and Technology.
“Joining KEEN will support faculty members already incorporating the entrepreneurial mindset in their classes and inspire others who have not yet integrated it to do so. The timing is ideal as we welcome a wave of new faculty ready to shape the future of engineering at ODU.”
ODU joins a nationwide network of nearly 70 institutions, all committed to transforming engineering education through the entrepreneurial mindset. The entrepreneurial mindset is about empowering engineers to recognize opportunity, make an impact, and create value in a rapidly changing world.
At ODU, this mindset is already taking root. Faculty are embedding KEEN’s 3Cs (Curiosity, Connections, and Creating Value), into courses across departments. Students are learning to ask better questions, connect ideas across disciplines, and design with purpose, whether that’s prototyping a prosthetic device for a child or developing resilient infrastructure for coastal communities. Beyond the classroom,
ODU faculty are also contributing to the national KEEN community by publishing teaching resources, presenting at conferences like the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE), and leading workshops that advance Entrepreneurial Minded Learning (EML).
Dean Jeffrey Fergus, Dr. Dalya Ismael, Dr. Orlando Ayala, and Dr. Krishnanand Kaipa are leading the initiative, supported by department chairs and a cross-college KEEN Committee. Through faculty workshops, mentorship programs, and co-curricular activities, ODU is embedding EML throughout the student experience, from first-year design to senior capstone projects.
“KEEN gives us a national platform to expand and amplify the work already happening at ODU,” said Dr. Dalya Ismael, Assistant Professor and KEEN Campus Lead.
“Our students are future engineers with the mindset to become problem-solvers, community leaders, and changemakers. KEEN gives us the tools and support to help them grow into that potential and lead with purpose.”
With over 40% of students from underrepresented minority groups and a strong presence of military-affiliated and first-generation learners, ODU’s partnership with KEEN advances its mission to deliver accessible, purpose-driven engineering education. ODU’s commitment to inclusive innovation makes the entrepreneurial mindset especially powerful, for students balancing work, family, or military service, learning to create value is more than a concept; it’s a career-defining skill.
With both engineering and engineering technology programs, ODU serves as a model for aligning entrepreneurial learning with real-world application, particularly in high-demand sectors such as shipbuilding, defense, and renewable energy, through partnerships with Newport News Shipbuilding, the U.S. Navy, NASA, and others.
ODU’s KEEN partnership will open up fully funded professional development for faculty, collaborative research opportunities, and expanded engagement with national partners across academia and industry.
Learn more about KEEN at
Learn more about Engineering at ODU at odu.edu/engineering