ASU has been ranked No.1 in innovation for the past 10 years, but what does that actually mean?

According to the U.S News & World Report, the award is given to universities based on improvements in faculty, curriculum, students, technology, campus life or facilities. 

“ASU works hard to find and act on every opportunity at every level of teaching, discovery and operations to collaborate and manifest better solutions. We are proud of the variety and scope of impact we are making,” said ASU President Michael Crow in an ASU News article.

Many do not know the award is not given based on statistics or data; instead, it is voted on by people at other universities. 

“It’s actually peer-reviewed,” ASU Chief Information Officer Lev Gonick said. “The U.S. News & World Report category for most innovative is actually based on reputation as voted on by university presidents, and by technology and other leaders across the whole world. Our ranking ahead of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford and Harvard is because university leaders think that we are more innovative.”

ASU stands out compared to Ivy League schools and other competing universities because of its accessibility, said Lara Ferry, the vice president of research at ASU’s Knowledge Enterprise.

“There are a lot of universities feeling a lot of pressure, and they’re actually shrinking, and we’re growing,” Ferry said. “That’s a sign that we’re accessible and that people want to come here and be a part of what we have to offer.”

Ferry also said that at all levels of the institution, getting undergraduates engaged in research and having them work side by side with faculty is incredibly important.  

Among ASU’s achievements is Skysong Innovations — ASU’s intellectual property management company. It has reported over 1,600 U.S. patents issued since the fiscal year 2003 and is ranked eighth in the country for university-granted patents.

ASU also possesses eight innovation zones, which are spaces used to foster collaboration. The zones attract companies that use ASU’s offices and labs, creating opportunities for the University and students, said Grace O’Sullivan, the vice president for corporate engagement and strategic partnerships at Knowledge Enterprise.

On top of these accomplishments, ASU is also spearheading the way in AI use, according to Gonick.

“We have a platform technology that we’ve developed here called ASU’s CreateAI Builder, and almost all of that is the result of collaboration with the students,” Gonick said. “We have almost 35 students who are working on ASU’s most cutting-edge AI work.”

Another collaboration in ASU’s portfolio is Dreamscape Learn, an avatar-driven experience that benefits both online and in-person Sun Devils. 

“We’re changing the way that people connect with learning through emotions and experiences,” O’Sullivan said. 

She also said that these new technologies are being applied to things like semiconductors and hazardous fields like mining. They allow more students to engage with these environments without risking harm. 

O’Sullivan attributes the University’s success to its leadership. 

“I think with President Crow as our leader, he’s always pushing us. He’s like, ‘Okay, that’s great that you achieved this one thing in this one area. What’s next?’ It’s always ‘what’s next?'” O’Sullivan said.  

Edited by Natalia Rodriguez, Henry Smardo and Pippa Fung.

Reach the reporter at galawre3@asu.edu.

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Grace LawrenceCommunity Reporter

Grace Lawrence is a reporter for the community culture desk at The Arizona State Press. This is her 1st semester working with The State Press. 

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