Randolph B. Quinn named executive director of Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Randolph B. Quinn named executive director of Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship

UTSA welcomes Randolph B. Quinn as executive director of Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Academic Affairs’ division of Career-Engaged Learning. In this position, Quinn will work with the Office of Commercialization and Technology Transfer and multiple other stakeholders in and outside UTSA to advance student innovation and entrepreneurship across the university.

“We’re excited to have Randy join the team,” said Ginnifer Cié Gee, associate vice provost for Career-Engaged Learning. “He’ll be making a major impact on the success of our students by expanding their access to the experiential learning opportunities that come from partnering with the area’s business community.”

Quinn most recently served as the associate director of the Center for Innovation and Research Commercialization at West Virginia University, where he was also adjunct faculty for both the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Sciences and the John Chambers College of Business and Economics. Before his time at WVU, he pursued a successful career in the private sector, leading teams within information technology, telecommunications and healthcare companies. Quinn earned his bachelor’s degree in physics and his MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.

Quinn will work to connect student entrepreneurship activities directed through programs such as the Center for Innovation, Technology & Entrepreneurship (CITE) and the new Arts Entrepreneurship Research Laboratory to shared resources and programs both internal to UTSA and to the greater San Antonio innovation ecosystem. CITE was established in 2006 to create a pipeline for UTSA faculty, students and the surrounding business community to develop new technology ventures.

“Students interested in entrepreneurship bring energy, ideas, and creativity to the problems all companies need to solve, and Randy’s role will make it easier for companies in many of UTSA’s research collaborations and consortiums to engage these students with interesting challenges,” said Christine Burke, director of UTSA’s office of Commercialization and Technology Transfer.

Greater access to a variety of programs leads to more chances to test business models and stronger opportunities for success should teams move ideas forward as companies.

“It’s an honor to be given the chance to build on the success of UTSA’s efforts to encourage student innovation and grow the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem,” says Quinn. “I’m thrilled by the possibilities of partnering with entrepreneurial efforts across the University and in San Antonio.”