Innovation is central to our culture at Wharton. It is a mentality that must encompass every aspect of the School—whether faculty research, teaching or our alumni outreach. For example, as we prepare students for the ever-changing business landscape, we know that opportunities await them that don’t exist today. It is quite likely that they will work in industries and product categories that have not yet been invented. With this reality in mind, our teaching methods continue to evolve and to embrace innovation in electronic technology, online media and social media.
Last week we announced the appointment of Karl T. Ulrich, the CIBC Professor of Entrepreneurship and e-Commerce, to the newly-created position of Vice Dean for Innovation. There are so many exciting ideas for positive change at Wharton, and this new office will help us to identify and develop the most exceptional ones with the goal of improving our educational experience and outcomes. Some will of course be technology-driven, but we expect that many of them will not, for meaningful progress is about more than just technology.
In the academic world of ideas, innovation can be ephemeral—but with a new Vice Dean in place, we are giving our best new ideas a much-needed structure in which to grow.