"KEEN’s mission is a natural extension of our own: To prepare engineers who are not only technically strong, but also bold thinkers, ethical leaders, and agents of innovation, ready to recognize opportunity, connect learning with impact, and lead change in their industries and communities."
Old Dominion University (ODU) is a preeminent public research university located in Coastal Virginia. Our world-class faculty fosters dynamic on-campus and global online learning for undergraduate and graduate students that enriches their lives, promotes insightful and perceptive leadership, and motivates the pursuit of excellence in dedicated fields and professions. We collaborate with strategic partners to address challenges and propose
solutions that impact the economy, environment, health and wellness, and social justice.
The Frank Batten College of Engineering & Technology (BCET) serves its students, the engineering profession, the Hampton Roads region, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world ethically and equitably through innovative and impactful research and future-focused educational programs that prepare the next generation of engineers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
Why We're In KEEN
BCET's mission is to prepare students to lead in technical fields by combining strong engineering fundamentals with real-world relevance. KEEN’s core principles - curiosity, connections, and creating value - provide a natural framework for advancing this mission. Becoming a KEEN Partner represents a powerful opportunity to elevate our commitment to student-centered, purpose-driven engineering education.
At ODU, we view the entrepreneurial mindset as a critical framework for preparing engineers to navigate complexity, drive innovation, and create meaningful impact in society. This aligns with our mission to empower a diverse and driven student body, many of whom are military-affiliated, working adults, or first-generation college students.
ODU is located in Hampton Roads, a region anchored by national defense, advanced manufacturing, shipbuilding, and government contracting. These industries require more than technical knowledge, they demand creativity, collaboration, and adaptability. KEEN’s emphasis on curiosity, value creation, and connecting ideas helps our students develop the skills and habits that make them competitive and impactful in these fields, enhances how we teach and how our students learn, and allows us to go beyond foundational knowledge and help students develop real-world problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and ethical awareness.
We see KEEN not just as a network, but as a platform for collaboration, professional development, and curricular transformation. As an R1 institution situated at the intersection of innovation and resilience, ODU brings a distinctive voice to KEEN. We are eager to collaborate, contribute to the national conversation, and grow together.
“Expanding the incorporation of the entrepreneurial mindset in our curricula will help students see the positive impacts they can make in their engineering careers. Joining KEEN will support faculty members already incorporating the entrepreneurial mindset in their classes and inspire others who have not yet integrated it to do so. The timing is ideal for the Batten College of Engineering and Technology as we have hired a large number of new faculty members, which provides fertile ground for incorporating the entrepreneurial mindset from the beginning.”