Turning community challenges into applied innovation at the University of Southern Indiana

A warm welcome to the University of Southern Indiana (USI), one of the newest Initiator Members of the UIIN community.

We recently spoke with Steven Stump, Director of the Center for Applied Research, on how the university approaches external collaboration through practical problem-solving, ecosystem engagement, and long-term relationship building. 

Founded just over sixty years ago, the University of Southern Indiana was established following a community-led initiative to bring a public university to the southwest corner of the state. This origin story continues to shape the institution’s mission today, with external engagement and service to the surrounding region firmly embedded in its identity.

Steven himself embodies this long-term connection. A USI alumnus who later returned to complete his master’s degree, he has now spent over a decade working at the university. His role places him at the interface between the university and its surrounding community, translating external needs into meaningful opportunities for students and faculty.

The University of Southern Indiana exists because the community asked for it. That idea of serving our region has always been baked into who we are.

A collaboration model shaped by real-world demand

At the heart of USI’s engagement approach is the Center for Applied Research, a unit that does not begin with predefined thematic priorities or rigid programmes. Instead, it responds directly to requests from entrepreneurs, small businesses, and community organisations seeking support with concrete challenges.

Steven describes his work as fundamentally collaborative. External partners approach the Center with problems they cannot solve on their own, and his role is to assemble the right mix of students and faculty to explore possible solutions. This work spans a wide range of activities, from early-stage concept development to applied research, design, and prototyping.

Many of these projects are delivered on a fee-for-service basis, allowing the university to compensate students and faculty for work undertaken beyond their regular teaching and research responsibilities. In other cases, particularly when partners lack financial resources, projects can be embedded into service-learning formats and delivered through academic courses. This flexibility allows USI to remain accessible while still recognising the value of applied expertise.

Design and fabrication as an entry point to engagement

Over time, the Center for Applied Research has developed a particularly strong reputation for design and fabrication work. A significant share of incoming projects involves partners who have an idea for a physical product but lack the tools, expertise, or time to explore whether it can be realised.

Steven currently leads a team of thirteen students, most of whom come from engineering and computing disciplines. Together, they work on more than twenty active projects at any given time, many of which focus on designing, prototyping, and fabricating early-stage solutions.

For students, this work offers exposure to real-world problem-solving that goes well beyond classroom learning. For partners, it provides a low-risk way to test ideas, gain technical insight, and make informed decisions about next steps. 

Importantly, these projects are increasingly moving beyond one-off prototypes. Steven notes a growing shift in partner ambitions, with more clients now seeking to commercialise their ideas and bring products to market.

Supporting the journey beyond the prototype

As projects become more ambitious, USI is deliberately redefining its role. Rather than attempting to support every stage of venture creation internally, the Center for Applied Research positions itself as one part of a broader local ecosystem.

Steven has invested significant effort in building relationships with regional partners, including small business development centres, chambers of commerce, marketing agencies, financial advisors, and lending organisations. These partners provide expertise and resources that the university itself does not aim to replicate.

We do not want to be all things to everyone. We are one part of an ecosystem, and our job is to know when to bring in the right partners.

One of the most persistent challenges for early-stage founders is access to capital. While USI cannot solve this directly, it can play a critical role in connecting entrepreneurs to the right organisations at the right moment. This ecosystem-oriented approach allows the university to support sustainable growth without overextending its own mandate.

Strengthening coordination across the university 

Looking ahead, USI is exploring ways to strengthen coordination between applied research, innovation activities, and more traditional academic research across the institution. Steven highlights the importance of presenting a clear and simple interface to external partners.

From the partner’s perspective, internal university structures should be invisible. The ambition is to create a clear entry point that routes requests internally, allowing external actors to engage without needing to understand how responsibilities are divided across different offices and units.

This vision reflects a broader commitment to reducing friction and lowering barriers to engagement, ensuring that the university remains approachable and responsive to its community.

Relationships as a long-term investment

Throughout the conversation, Steven repeatedly returns to the importance of relationships. Having spent much of his career building professional networks, he emphasises that meaningful collaboration often unfolds over years rather than months.

Projects may come and go, and individuals may change roles, but maintaining trust and goodwill creates opportunities that can re-emerge in unexpected ways. This long-term perspective shapes how USI approaches both local and international collaboration, including its engagement with the UIIN community.

Every relationship counts. You never know when a conversation today might turn into a collaboration years from now.

For Steven, universities have a responsibility not only to advance their own objectives, but also to remain attentive to the needs of the communities around them. By staying outward-looking, open to collaboration, and grounded in practical impact, USI continues to demonstrate how applied engagement can create lasting value for students, partners, and society alike.

Interested in learning more?

If you would like to learn more about the University of Southern Indiana and the work of its Center for Applied Research, you can explore the university’s website or connect directly with Steven Stump to continue the conversation.

Join a global community shaping the future of universities

University of Southern Indiana is one of many universities and organisations around the world redefining how higher education engages with industry, government, and society. As a UIIN Member, you’ll gain access to this global network of forward-thinking institutions, connect with peers tackling similar challenges, and exchange insights on innovation, entrepreneurship, and societal impact.

Whether you want to strengthen your partnerships, build internal capacity, or stay ahead of emerging trends — UIIN Membership gives you the platform and connections to do it.

Luca Barbera (author) is a Project Officer at UIIN. His work encompasses a broad spectrum of research topics, including sustainability, deep tech, engagement practices for universities and academics, with a particular emphasis on the valorisation of results.