The Office of Strategic Engagement and Partnerships (OSEP) serves as a bridge between business/industry and the university on behalf of the Office of Vice President for Research and Partnerships, as described in the Lead On strategic plan (Pillar 5, Strategy 1, Tactic 4): Generate new resources and opportunities through public and private partnerships and advancement initiatives designed to support OU’s strategic research priorities. The establishment of this office within OVPRP indicates the importance of industry-sponsored projects to help solve the most pressing problems and to explore promising opportunities through research endeavors.
We operate as a central point of contact for companies to connect with researchers and resources at all schools and colleges on the University of Oklahoma Norman campus. OSEP facilitates the initial connection and continues to manage corporate relationships on an ongoing basis.
OSEP serves as a resource for our internal and external partners and workis closely with Office of Research Services, Office of Legal Counsel, and the Office of Technology Commercialization to negotiate and execute the agreements necessary to partner. Our goal is to streamline the process to make collaboration easy!
We serve as the central point of contact between companies of all sizes and faculty/researchers, and manages productive partnerships by leveraging OU’s world-class research talent to help industry solve their most pressing problems and opportunities.
Please contact OSEP to begin a discussion about partnering with the University of Oklahoma. We are responsive, collaborative, and look for mutually beneficial ways to partner.
Oir office can assist faculty by facilitating networking opportunities with industry, helping with private industry related requests, and managing the resulting relationships. Please contact OSEP if you have any questions about connecting with industry, any type of legal agreements, if you would like to offer corporate partners a tour, or have questions about the business community.
OSEP works with area Economic Development Organizations (EDOs) to assist in recruiting new companies to the state. A primary consideration in deciding where to locate a facility is availability of talent. Our office can offer prospective companies information on the curriculum for specific majors, the talent pipeline, and research strengths. The presence of a major research university with talented researchers and potential recruits can sway a company to locate in the region, and a relationship can be established before the company locates in Oklahoma!
Joyce Burch
Director, Strategic Engagement and Partnerships
Joyce Burch is the Director of the Office of Strategic Engagement and Partnerships. Joyce has been with OU for several years, starting in the Entrepreneurship & Economic Development Division in Price College as the Director of Public/Private Partnerships, and also served as Project Manager for the establishment of the Executive MBA in Aerospace & Defense. She assembled the Aerospace & Defense Industry Roundtable, composed of local A&D companies and organizations. The A&D Industry Roundtable advised the university on the requirements and needs of industry and helped to craft the curriculum. Roundtable advisors included leaders from Acorn Growth Companies, Boeing, Tinker AFB, FAA, Northrup Grumman, Booz Allen Hamilton, Delaware Resource Group, Flight Safety, Kratos, and others.
Joyce has 15 years of Economic Development experience and believes that OU’s healthy relationships with industry are beneficial to both the university and the economic growth of the state.
Leslie Illston
Program Manager,
Strategic Engagement and Partnerhsips
Leslie Illston joined the Office of Strategic Engagement and Partnerships in February of 2023. Previously Leslie worked at OU for several years as the Development Director for the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences. She has spent most of her career in the non-profit and academic sectors, building corporate and community engagement for various causes.
Leslie enjoys putting her background expertise and her personal passion for supporting research growth together in this capacity.
