Creating the Innovative University

Universities are among the oldest institutions in the world. In America, most of the highest-ranked universities were founded in the 19th century or earlier. Despite their age, universities need to innovate, perhaps now more than ever, to serve evolving societal needs, modernize through use of technology, stay financially viable, and fulfill their missions. University innovation is more than inventorship, technology transfer, and commercialization. It entails developing a culture that stimulates novel and integrated change through education, research, and public service as well as clinical care, athletics, the arts, and various auxiliary activities. This article shows how innovation appears in university rankings and in university mission statements, providing insights into how universities can become innovative universities.