Dolly Duffy

Baird’s EdTech team shares their annual Back-to-School Report, revealing the perspectives of public school key decision-makers (superintendents and principals) across the country. The themes unfolding in K-12 education today point to the possibility of sustained demand for scalable solutions that can support school districts to drive measurable outcomes. Read the full report here: https://bit.ly/3IAMYsj

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Action-oriented and inspiring words from former Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and former Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb at the Special Competitive Studies Project - SCSP AI+Education #EducationSummit today. As Secretary Raimondo said, everyone in the audience likely has an idea for change in #highereducation to catch up, but to be competitive in today’s world, we will have to do it faster. #AI is a shock - and we can and should use it as part of the solution to the problems. If the US still ranks 34th in mathematics, we have no time to lose. The #skills of today and tomorrow need to be incentivized and we need more #P3 partnerships. #Careerconnectedskills like our programs at The Washington Center provide are critical to thrive in today’s #workforce.

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Milwaukee's rise to 14th among Midwest startup cities isn't by chance—it's powered by strategic collaboration between research universities translating breakthrough research into market-ready opportunities. The Medical College of Wisconsin, UWM Research Foundation, and Marquette University are collectively managing "scores of patents in robotics, biomedicine, medical devices, and materials science"—all available for private sector transfer. This is exactly what drives innovation forward: when research institutions work together to move IP from lab to market. These partnerships create: - Access to cutting-edge research IP - Diversified patent portfolios across high-growth sectors - Streamlined pathways from discovery to commercialization - Reduced risk through collaborative due diligence For IP owners and buyers, Milwaukee's collaborative model demonstrates how strategic partnerships can maximize the value of intellectual property assets. Whether you're looking to license breakthrough technologies or monetize your patent portfolio, the key is finding the right connections in the innovation ecosystem. At OculonIP, we help bridge these critical gaps—connecting IP owners with buyers who can transform research into real-world solutions that benefit everyone. #IntellectualProperty #TechTransfer #Innovation #PatentLicensing #IPBrokerage #MilwaukeeTech #UniversityPartnerships https://lnkd.in/d8mZCgKb

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Dan Bates, president and CEO of the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, writes in The Journal-News about the “funding crossroads” facing Ohio’s public schools: "This is not just a school issue. It is a workforce issue." #OhioSchools #SchoolFunding https://lnkd.in/gs9CRRGc

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📚✨ Big News for Steel City Academy! ✨📚 We are thrilled to share that Steel City Academy has received renewed Indiana Learns state tutoring support for the 2025–26 school year, marking another year of high-impact academic investment in our students. Thanks to this funding, we will provide high-dosage, after-school tutoring for up to 91 students, continuing our commitment to accelerate learning and close opportunity gaps for kids and families in Gary. What makes this especially meaningful is the impact we’ve already seen firsthand: 📊 Last year, participation in Indiana Learns correlated with an 80% IREAD pass rate and an 8% ILEARN ELA pass rate increase— a powerful reminder that consistent, targeted support works. This program delivers: ✔️ Personalized tutoring in small groups ✔️ 1:4 teacher-to-student ratios that foster deep mastery ✔️ Relationship-centered academic support that builds confidence and skills We are deeply grateful to the Indiana Department of Education, Indiana Learns, and the The Mind Trust for their continued partnership and belief in what’s possible for our students. Support like this allows schools to deliver real, measurable results — and we don’t take that responsibility lightly. 💙🔥 It is an honor to bring this opportunity back to our community at a moment when data-driven, student-centered interventions matter more than ever. 📖 Check out the recent Chicago Tribune article to learn more about this investment and what it means for our students. https://lnkd.in/gSrGPRWJ

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Featured in this week’s Charitable Advisors Not-for-profit News: “Civic Infrastructure: Central Indiana’s Biggest Competitive Advantage for Broader Prosperity,” by CICF Chief Innovation Officer Jeff Bennett. The piece argues that civic infrastructure is Central Indiana’s “secret sauce,” the connective tissue of relationships, habits, and leadership culture that helps our region over-achieve. But it also highlights that if civic infrastructure is powered mainly by closed networks, lasting impact gets harder. The nonprofit sector is uniquely positioned to change that because nonprofits are already the bridge between residents and decision-makers. Jeff shares five practical moves nonprofits can make now, from treating civic participation as mission-aligned work to making the civic process more legible, creating easier on-ramps for resident engagement, building a leadership pipeline, and making equity a design requirement. Read the article here: https://loom.ly/NKC3Px8

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I couldn’t have said it better myself, Kevin Conroy!    University of Wisconsin-Madison has long been a catalyst for discovery, and Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) has been an absolutely crucial partner. Supporting innovation and entrepreneurship of all kinds is one of the most dynamic ways we can continue that trajectory and make real-world impact. And for success, we all need to work together. As Kevin puts it: "Looking ahead, the opportunities are immense. Fields like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, nuclear energy and life sciences will shape the future, and UW-Madison is well-positioned to play a prominent role. Achieving this will require continued collaboration between the university, WARF and the private sector in a system where ideas flow freely, partnerships are encouraged and solutions are brought to market efficiently."

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New Episode of Community Matters! The United Way of South Central Michigan continues to study its ”ALICE” data – ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. CEO Chris Sargent returns to Community Matters to offer some perspective on the numbers, as well as the overall fundraising outlook amidst more potential national cuts. He also underscores the commitment the organization and its partners have to offer a ”hand up” to those who need it. Listen Now ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/g5Gqa7t3

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