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The Ohio University Research Division has announced that Stacy Strauss, director of the Innovation Center in Athens, will be departing her role. Her last day will be Sept. 2, 2025.
Strauss has served as the director of the Innovation Center since 2016 and has worked with the center since 2014. During her tenure with the Innovation Center, Strauss has made significant contributions to supporting entrepreneurship, innovation and regional economic development.
“We thank and appreciate Stacy for her years of service to Ohio University and for all she accomplished as the director of the Innovation Center,” said Vice President for Research and Creative Activity Eric Muth.
Under Strauss's leadership, the Ohio University Innovation Center received national recognition for its work supporting new and small businesses and promoting economic development. The Innovation Center has received numerous awards for its work in recent years, including being named the International Incubator of the Year in 2019 and the No. 1 Rural Incubator in 2016, 2019 and 2022. Strauss first joined Ohio University in 2000 and served as the Head Soccer Coach from 2000 – 2013, winning two regular season Mid-American Conference Championships.
The Innovation Center supports its clients with a considerable range of resources via virtual or onsite client membership, which includes executive coaching, professional office space, laboratories, conference and meeting spaces, discounted vendor contracts, and access to an expansive network of public and private business industry experts.
“It has been an immense pleasure to support our region’s brave, bold, and determined founders and small businesses and to align partners toward successful economic development through the support of entrepreneurship,” Strauss said.
Questions about the Innovation Center may be directed to Interim Associate Vice President for Research Partnerships Jason Jolley at jolleyg1@ohio.edu .