Center for Productivity Innovation's Student Project with Industry Program at the University of Tennessee, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering

A robust graduate engineering education experience requires students to learn the fundamental subject knowledge, to develop their ability to apply what they know to actual projects, and to contribute to the current body of knowledge by writing theses or dissertations. At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Industrial and Systems Engineering students have an opportunity, in the Student Projects with Industry (SPI) program within the Center for Productivity Innovation, to develop their research ideas in conjunction with industry. The success of the SPI program is assessed by evaluating the impact of the SPI program on the preparation of the students, the academic welfare of the department, and the program's economic and social impact on the community. The SPI program provides students with simulated work experiences that enhance their leadership attributes, developing students' critical thinking capabilities, and improving their technical, organizational, and social skills. That these skills enhance students' success both in the university and in their careers is evident in measurable results, including higher student graduation rates, an increased number of publications, and a wider sponsor network for potential funding. The impact can further be measured by the millions of dollars affecting the local economy, in addition to the intangible social benefits gained.