Seek the IEP Designation

Presidents and chancellors are invited to initiate their institution’s participation in the IEP designation program once a year. Both APLU and non-APLU member institutions are welcome and encouraged to pursue the IEP University designation. There is no cost associated with participation for APLU members. Non-members may participate through APLU’s IEP partner, the University Economic Development Association (UEDA). Once enrolled in the program, non-members and members experience the same IEP process to achieve the same goal – maximize the visibility and impact of an institution’s economic development enterprise.

Process for APLU members:

1. Get a sense of the program goals and objectives. Review the IEP impact page and IEP Universities program details described in the IEP designation guidelines.
2. Schedule a call to discuss questions and your institution’s objectives for participation, and to obtain the presidential letter of intent template.
3. Read the IEP Designation Guidelines carefully. Identify two campus administrators to serve as your institution’s IEP Campus Contacts. These individuals will co-lead your IEP designation process and serve as primary touchpoints with APLU.
4. Presidents and chancellors must submit a letter of intent (using the template provided) to APLU President Mark Becker by the last business day in October.
5. Recommended, not required: Attend IEP-related sessions at APLU Annual Meeting
6. Recommended, not required: Plan to attend the following year’s CECE Summer Meeting where the annual IEP Universities Workshop takes place.
7. Cohort formally launches in December.

Process for non-APLU member:

Non-members may participate in the program through APLU’s partnership with UEDA. View the IEP partnership overview video.

1. Get a sense of the program goals and objectives. Review the IEP impact page and IEP Universities program details described in the IEP designation guidelines.
2. Contact APLU’s Alvaro J. Muñiz (iep@aplu.org) and UEDA’s Marty Romitti (info@universityeda.org) to set up a call to discuss questions and your institution’s objectives for participation, and to obtain the presidential letter of intent template.
3. Discuss participation fee process with UEDA’s Marty Romitti if needed.
4. Identify two campus administrators to serve as your institution’s IEP Campus Contacts. These individuals will co-lead your IEP designation process and serve as primary touch-points with APLU.
5. Presidents and chancellors submit letter of intent (using template provided) to UEDA President and Executive Director by the last business day in October.
6. Recommended, not required: Attend IEP-related sessions at APLU Annual Meeting
7. Recommended, not required: Plan to attend the following year’s CECE Summer Meeting where the annual IEP Universities Workshop takes place (member rate provided).
8. Cohort formally launches in December.