The University of Maryland was honored at the 2015 Innovation & Economic Prosperity (IEP) University Awards by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU). UMD took home the top honor, the Connections Award, which recognizes an institution working to build connections between innovation and entrepreneurship, talent development, and social, community and cultural development. The award winners were announced today at APLU’s annual meeting in Indianapolis.
UMD won the Connections Award in part for its partnership with Northrop Grumman to create the Advanced Cybersecurity Experiences for Students (ACES), a program which helps to supply trained workers to serve the cyber community. In addition, UMD announced earlier this year its plans for Greater College Park, an initiative which ties together many efforts supporting the university’s goal of becoming a premier college town. It focuses on dynamic academic spaces, a vibrant downtown community and a public-private research hub that brings together businesses and the university’s academic community.