{"id":92,"date":"2026-03-25T20:54:29","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T20:54:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpdev.hmc.edu\/campaign\/?page_id=92"},"modified":"2026-04-14T14:56:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T21:56:29","slug":"pillar-4","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/five-pillars\/pillar-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Innovation Accelerator (IA)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"pillar-info\" class=\"wp-block-mudd2021-wrapper\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pillar-info-heading-4\"><span>Pillar 4<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We will build and sustain a dedicated platform for launching bold new ideas. The IA fuels our faculty-led laboratories in STEM education and transformative partnerships, which allows Harvey Mudd to develop new and novel frameworks to guide these fields\u2014from data science and AI to health technologies and climate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mudd2021-wrapper pillar-content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">STEM Education. Evolved.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/strategic-planning\/innovation-accelerator\/\">Innovation Accelerator (IA)<\/a> has quickly become Harvey Mudd\u2019s most dynamic platform for discovery. It is a unifying magnet that brings together faculty and staff from across disciplines to imagine new possibilities for the future of STEM education. In its first year alone, the IA moved projects from a \u201cbold idea\u201d to a \u201csuccessful pilot,\u201d culminating in an Innovation Showcase that proved Harvey Mudd is ready to lead. The IA platform is a proven mechanism ready for scale. Your philanthropy is an investment that drives the future of STEM education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a key component of Harvey Mudd\u2019s strategic planning goal on Innovative Education, the College envisions the Innovation Accelerator as a long-term center of excellence that cultivates and drives forward-thinking possibilities for Harvey Mudd while also fostering philanthropic partnerships to propel us into the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the inaugural 2024\u20132025 Innovation Accelerator initiative, faculty and staff submitted 21 proposals, and the College selected six proposals to advance to the next stage. The six proposal teams presented their projects to the community and external&nbsp; stakeholders at the College\u2019s first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/strategic-planning\/innovation-showcase\/\">Innovation Showcase<\/a> on April 4, 2025. Ultimately, three projects were selected to receive funding, and the teams are putting plans into action as IA Laboratories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fall 2025, the College announced a new call for proposals from faculty for an IA Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence and an IA Lab for Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering. These new labs are imagined to explore both the technical frontiers of artificial intelligence and the human dimensions of its impact on society and to spark new ideas that push our institutional definition of interdisciplinary research and teaching.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Supports<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/strategic-planning\/plan\/#:~:text=Goal%201%3A%20Innovative%20Education\">Strategic Plan Goal 1: Innovative Education<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/strategic-planning\/plan\/#:~:text=Goal%202%3A%20Transformative%20Partnerships\">Strategic Plan Goal 2: Transformative Partnerships<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/strategic-planning\/plan\/#:~:text=Goal%203%3A%20An%20Evolving%20Institution\">Strategic Plan Goal 3: An Evolving Institution<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/strategic-planning\/plan\/#:~:text=Goal%204%3A%20A%20Thriving%20Community\">Strategic Plan Goal 4: A Thriving Community<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mudd2021-wrapper pillar-content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Established IA Labs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/landscape-campaign-pillar_0005_4-DSSI.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"900\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/landscape-campaign-pillar_0005_4-DSSI.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-159\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/landscape-campaign-pillar_0005_4-DSSI.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/landscape-campaign-pillar_0005_4-DSSI-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/landscape-campaign-pillar_0005_4-DSSI-1024x600.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/landscape-campaign-pillar_0005_4-DSSI-768x450.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Data Science and Social Impact Lab<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Empowering students to use data as a force for good, this lab brings together researchers and community partners to co-create solutions in areas like climate, health and education. Through collaboration across disciplines, students learn how data-driven insights can lead to lasting social change. Launched in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mudd2021-wrapper is-style-mudd-highlighted-content\">\n<p class=\"is-style-default\">Learn more about key initiatives including:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/dssi\/diods-conference\/\">DIoDS Conference<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/dssi\/datathon\/\">Datathon<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/landscape-campaign-pillar_0006_4-EHT.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"900\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/landscape-campaign-pillar_0006_4-EHT.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-160\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/landscape-campaign-pillar_0006_4-EHT.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/landscape-campaign-pillar_0006_4-EHT-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/landscape-campaign-pillar_0006_4-EHT-1024x600.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/landscape-campaign-pillar_0006_4-EHT-768x450.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Emerging Health Technologies Lab<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Blending engineering, biology, and innovation, this lab opens new pathways for students to explore biomedical technology and health solutions. By connecting hands-on research with alumni mentorship and industry partnerships, students help shape the future of healthcare innovation. Launched in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mudd2021-wrapper is-style-mudd-highlighted-content\">\n<p>Learn more about key initiatives including:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/eht\/events\/\">Panels, talks and networking opportunities for the community<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/groups\/14631138\/\">Mentoring Connections<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/eht\/eht-internships\/\">Summer Internship Program<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/uro.hmc.edu\/\">Summer Research<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/eht\/program\/#:~:text=Faculty%20Fellowship%20Program\">Faculty Fellowships<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/eht\/program\/#:~:text=call%20for%20proposals.-,Clinic%20Program,-Health%20technology%20focused\">Clinic Program Opportunities<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/landscape-campaign-pillar_0007_4-Thriving.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"900\" src=\"http:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/landscape-campaign-pillar_0007_4-Thriving.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-162\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/landscape-campaign-pillar_0007_4-Thriving.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/landscape-campaign-pillar_0007_4-Thriving-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/landscape-campaign-pillar_0007_4-Thriving-1024x600.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/04\/landscape-campaign-pillar_0007_4-Thriving-768x450.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Thriving in STEM Lab<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Focused on student success, this lab strengthens Harvey Mudd\u2019s academic experience through inclusive learning communities and new academic support. Faculty and students collaborate to design strategies that help every Mudder thrive. Launched in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mudd2021-wrapper is-style-mudd-highlighted-content\">\n<p>Learn more about key initiatives including:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/thriving\/the-heart-of-thriving-in-the-core\/\">Summer Core Skills Preview<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-mudd2021-wrapper pillar-content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Emerging AI Labs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">IA Lab for Artificial Intelligence&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The IA Lab for AI explores the technical frontiers and human dimensions of a future where human and machine intelligence co-exist. Three proposals have been selected for seed-stage funding and include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/axl.hmc.edu\/conference.html\">AI Experimentation (AXL)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ipai.hmc.edu\/\">Imaginative Prototyping with Artificial Intelligence (IPAI)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/strategic-planning\/innovation-accelerator\/lab-for-ai\/#:~:text=Read%20More-,Prototype%2Dfirst%20Programming,-The%20Prototype%2Dfirst\">Prototype-first Programming<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The IA Lab for Entrepreneurship<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This lab will provide the early-stage capital and structured validation needed to establish a high-efficiency pathway for STEM-driven startups. Learn how you can support this initiative by emailing VP for Advancement Jennifer Eccles at <a href=\"mailto:jeccles&#64;&#104;&#109;&#99;.edu\">je&#99;cl&#101;&#115;&#64;hmc&#46;e&#100;&#117;<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">IA Lab for Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The IA Lab for ISE fosters shared interdisciplinary research in vital themes such as renewable energy, clean water, and revolutionary materials by bridging the methodologies of multiple STEM fields.\u00a0Recently, 38 individual faculty members representing every academic department on campus, collaborated to submit seven proposals as part of the IA Lab for ISE&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/strategic-planning\/innovation-accelerator\/innovation-accelerator-laboratory-for-interdisciplinary-science-and-engineering-ial-ise\/\">Call for Proposals<\/a>. Recipients for the initial set of seed funding will be announced in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"other-pillars\" class=\"wp-block-mudd2021-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase\"><div class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-heading-wrapper\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-heading h2\">Other Pillars<\/h2><\/div><ul class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-content-wrapper\" data-card-count=\"5\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/campaign\/pillar-1\/\" class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card-heading-img\" style=\"background-image: url(http:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/03\/portrait-campaign-pillar_0000_1.jpg);\"><\/span><span class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card-heading-text\">Pillar 1: Living and Learning Infrastructure<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/campaign\/pillar-2\/\" class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card-heading-img\" style=\"background-image: url(http:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/03\/portrait-campaign-pillar_0001_2.jpg);\"><\/span><span class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card-heading-text\">Pillar 2: Academic Leadership<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/campaign\/pillar-3\/\" class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card-heading-img\" style=\"background-image: url(http:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/03\/portrait-campaign-pillar_0002_3.jpg);\"><\/span><span class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card-heading-text\">Pillar 3: Access and Opportunity<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/campaign\/pillar-4\/\" class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card-heading-img\" style=\"background-image: url(http:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/03\/portrait-campaign-pillar_0003_4.jpg);\"><\/span><span class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card-heading-text\">Pillar 4: Innovation Accelerator (IA)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/campaign\/pillar-5\/\" class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card-heading-img\" style=\"background-image: url(http:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2026\/03\/portrait-campaign-pillar_0004_5.jpg);\"><\/span><span class=\"wp-block-mudd-showcase-card-heading-text\">Pillar 5: Experiential Learning<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":18,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-default-all-blocks.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-92","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/92","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=92"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/92\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":266,"href":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/92\/revisions\/266"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/campaign\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=92"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}