The Next Chapter Incubator

To address the rapid changes in higher education and the workforce, College of DuPage (COD) established the Next Chapter Incubator (NCI). Reporting directly to the president, NCI is a Think Tank/Skunkworks group that operates semi-independently and develops solutions to respond to changes in the postsecondary education and workforce landscape. Though many institutions have a business incubator, such as COD’s Innovation DuPage, this group looks at the generation of ideas to better the institution itself. Outside of the formal hierarchy of job titles, this group has no restrictions on areas to examine for innovation and improvement. The group is also not charged with implementation of ideas, so current budget and personnel organization do not set limits on the ideas generated. The group presents recommendations to the president and members of cabinet for consideration and implementation.

Innovators

• Joseph Cassidy  Assistant Vice President, Economic Development, and Dean, Continuing Education and Public Services
• Bob Clark, Professor, HVAC
• Jennifer Cumpston, Dean, STEM
• Cory DiCarlo, Professor, Chemistry
• Barbara Gawron, Professor, Nursing
• Alyssa Johnson, Administrative Assistant, Adjunct Faculty
• Jennifer Kelley, Reference Librarian          
• Robyn Schiffman, Dean, Liberal Arts
• Keith Tyrka, Vice President, Planning, Performance, and Technology
• Sonia Watson, Dean, Adjunct Faculty Support