The Office of Corporate Partnerships and Regional Economic Development 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 6): Create new Office of Corporate Partnerships to lead the effort to grow strategic research partnerships with private sector and philanthropies. 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.
OCP is 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. OCP facilitates the initial connection and continues to manage corporate relationships on an ongoing basis.
OCP serves as a resource for our internal and external partners and works closely with Office of Research Services, Office of Legal Counsel, and Office of Technology Commercialization to negotiate and execute the agreements necessary to partner. Our goal is to streamline the process to make collaboration easy!
OCP is 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 OCP to begin a discussion about partnering with the University of Oklahoma. We are responsive, collaborative, and look for mutually beneficial ways to partner.
New! Intellectual Property Options for Corporate Sponsored Research
OCP can assist faculty by facilitating networking opportunities with industry, helping with private industry related requests, and managing the resulting relationships. Please contact OCP 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.
OCP 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!
OCP is also the point of contact for companies wanting to establish a presence near our faculty and students at University Research Campus (URC). URC is a 277- acre world class collaborative campus environment with partners engaged in academic and private sector research, commerce, and service that leads to social, economic, and academic advancement – improving the global quality of life. Founded in 2003, the URC is home to private companies, academic and research departments and agencies, more than 700 private sector employees, more than 300 Federal employees, and nearly 2000 people who make up what is an award-winning and nationally recognized University Research Campus. The campus focuses on advanced technology across many disciplines, with a strong focus on weather and radar, as home to the National Weather Center and Radar Innovations Lab. The campus has grown from the initial investment in the Stephenson Technology Research Center to include the construction of the National Weather Center, five partner buildings housing private and public entities, the Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, the Radar Innovations Lab, and new development plans underway.
The University of Oklahoma celebrated the grand opening of its 4,000-square-foot Bioprocessing Core Facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, May 23, 2025. This multimillion-dollar facility is a key piece in the state’s drive to become a national leader in biomanufacturing and biotech workforce development.
Members of the OICP staff attended the OVF Awards to support Andrew Pollock as he became chair of OVF for 2025-2026.
Andrew Pollock recently completed his Masters of Business Administration degree. As the Managing Director of the Office of Technology Commercialization, he plays a vital role in the success of the OICP efforts. The team celebrated his accomplishments during the week of commencement.
A robotics company seeking to establish its US headquarters tours the Rawl Engineering Practice Facility on the OU Norman campus.
Joyce Burch
Director of the Office of Corporate Partnerships and Regional Economic Development
Joyce Burch is the Director of the Office of Corporate Partnerships and Regional Economic Development. 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,
Office of Corporate Partnerships and Regional Economic Development
Leslie Illston joined the Office of Corporate Partnerships and Regional Economic Development 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.
