Debbie Franklin

Overview

Debbie coordinates, prioritizes, and pursues resources for the regional advanced manufacturing strategic plan initiatives, collaborates with partner institutions to provide technical assistance to existing businesses and startup firms for technology transfer and transition/migration, and develops university-level proposals for government grants and contracts. She is committed to advancing an innovation ecosystem with industry that promotes technology-based economic development.

Areas of Research Interest

• Authored and was responsible for implementation, monitoring, and reporting of goals for the $2 million federal interagency Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge grant from the U.S. Department of Commence Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, and the Small Business Administration. This project supports advanced manufacturing innovators to develop commercially viable processes and products.
• Authored and was responsible for implementation of the $200,000 federal interagency grant with the U.S. Department of Commence Economic Development Administration and monitoring and reporting of the goals. This project identified and prioritized key tactical manufacturing investments and aligned resources to support the region’s advanced manufacturing sector.
•  Developed, maintained, and operated the population and labor force/occupational estimation and forecasting model.  Conducted research projects such as population and occupational forecasts, labor market profiles, demographic and labor force policy analyses, market and industry analyses, and regional population and labor force trends and issues.
• Authored and was responsible for implementation of the $5 million U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development grant, and monitoring and reporting of the goals. Collaborated with funded partners to provide requested assistance and resources to achieve and exceed strategic goals.  Developed sustainability strategies in collaboration with partners.  Convened meetings of the Leadership Team and other boards or taskforces.  Facilitated communication among business community, government, media, education, and training partners.  Promoted the initiative through targeted outreach in collaboration with funded partners.

Areas of Teaching Interest

• Develops, prioritizes, and implements the vision and goals for the Office of Research and WSU Ventures.
  • Writes grant proposals and engages in revenue generating activities to expand the reach of the department.  
  • Assists business, faculty, employees, and students in seizing opportunities to accelerate the discovery, creation, and transfer of new knowledge in commercial products or processes.  
  • Assesses the commercial potential of intellectual property, promotes corporate alliances, advocates for faculty entrepreneurial activities, and partners strategically with other campus units and collaborative partners.
• Founder and director of the Center for Innovation and Enterprise Engagement.
  • Established the center’s governance board, bylaws, and business plan.
  • Identified applied advanced manufacturing research needs; conducted advanced manufacturing industry surveys to quantify employment and technology needs; and supported development of process solutions plans, business development plans, and or workforce strategies to respond to business needs.
  • Interacted with key collaborating economic development and workforce partners throughout the South Central Kansas region. 

Publications

•  D. Franklin, “Kansas Information Technology Empirical Study,” Kansas Inc. and Center for Economic Development and Business Research, November 2007.
•  D. Franklin and M. Townsend, “Composites Kansas Asset Map,” Center for Economic Development and Business Research, June 2008, updated 2009.
• J. Harrah and D. Franklin, “Effects of Training Programs: Associated Wage Gains and Impact of the Kansas Economy,” Center for Economic Development and Business Research and the Kansas Board of Regents, February 2007
• D. Franklin, “Composites Wage Survey,” Workforce Alliance of South-Central Kansas and Center for Economic Development and Business Research Online publication, February 2011. 

Professional Experience

• Associate Vice President, Strategic Initiatives
• Director of Strategic University Initiatives, WSU Strategic Initiatives
• Director of Business Development, Office of Research and                                                            Technology Transfer
• Project Director for Federal Grants, Center for Innovation and                                                      Enterprise  Engagement
•  Founder and Director of Operations, Center for Innovation and                                                    Enterprise Engagement
•  WIRED Project Director, Center for Economic Development and                                                  Business Research
•  Regional Labor Force Analyst, Center for Economic Development                                               and Business Research

Awards and Honors

• Attained 1 of 12 competitive U.S. “Manufacturing Community” designations for the South Central Kansas region, resulting in elevated consideration for federal investment and strengthened local public-private partnerships.

Grants

• Authored and was responsible for implementation of the $5 million U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development grant, and monitoring and reporting of the goals.

Areas of Service

• Established a task force of regional stakeholders to develop a comprehensive economic development strategy to strengthen the regional economy’s competitive edge for attracting global manufacturing and supply chain investments.
• Attained 1 of 12 competitive U.S. “Manufacturing Community” designations for the South Central Kansas region, resulting in elevated consideration for federal investment and strengthened local public-private partnerships.
• Built a strong, durable collaborative industrial ecosystem by aligning industry needs for worker training, research, supply chains, capital access, infrastructure, and site development and trade.
• Founded a university innovation center to provide the expertise and infrastructure needed to help develop the advanced manufacturing industry cluster in Kansas.  The center uses an interdisciplinary approach with collaborative partners to promote industry diversification, new industry formation, and process and product improvements within existing firms.
• Conducted and published high-quality, objective research and analysis on issues related to the community’s current and future economic well-being.