Easton Technology Management Center

Easton Technology Management Center. It is a specialized academic and research unit within the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, located at the ASU Polytechnic campus in Mesa, Arizona. Established through a significant philanthropic gift from Larry Easton, the center is dedicated to advancing the interdisciplinary field of technology management, blending engineering principles with business strategy. Its mission focuses on preparing leaders to innovate and manage complex technological systems within a global economy.

History

The center was founded in 1998 following a major donation by aerospace executive and philanthropist Larry Easton, a notable figure in the defense industry and former CEO of Easton Corporation. This gift was part of a broader wave of support for Arizona State University under the leadership of President Lattie F. Coor to expand its engineering and technology footprint. Initially housed within the College of Technology and Innovation, it became a cornerstone of the ASU Polytechnic campus upon that campus's formal establishment in the 1990s. The creation of the center aligned with national trends, such as those encouraged by the National Science Foundation, to integrate management education with technical disciplines, a concept also seen at institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University.

Academic Programs

The center administers a suite of graduate programs, primarily the Master of Science in Technology Management (degree), which is accredited through the university's association with the Higher Learning Commission. The curriculum is designed to bridge gaps between disciplines, offering core courses in project management, product development, quality control, and engineering economics. Students often engage with frameworks from the Project Management Institute and case studies involving global firms like Intel Corporation and The Boeing Company. The program frequently collaborates with other ASU units, including the W. P. Carey School of Business and the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, and supports students from diverse backgrounds, including veterans through the G.I. Bill.

Research and Innovation

Faculty and doctoral researchers at the center conduct applied research in areas critical to industrial competitiveness, such as supply chain management, systems engineering, technology commercialization, and innovation management. Key projects have been funded by agencies like the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy, as well as through partnerships with corporations such as Raytheon Technologies and Honeywell International. The research output often contributes to fields like sustainable technology and advanced manufacturing, with findings presented at forums like the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and published in journals such as the Journal of Product Innovation Management.

Facilities and Resources

The center is physically located in the Santa Catalina building on the ASU Polytechnic campus, a facility that also houses the Arizona State University Research Park. It provides students and researchers with access to specialized laboratories, including prototyping labs, computer-aided design suites, and collaboration spaces designed to simulate real-world research and development environments. These resources are complemented by the broader infrastructure of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, including the MakerASU network and the Startup Mill accelerator. The campus itself is situated near major economic hubs like the Phoenix metropolitan area and the Arizona Commerce Authority.

Partnerships and Industry Connections

A defining feature of the center is its extensive network with the technology and manufacturing sectors, both within the Southwestern United States and internationally. It maintains an executive advisory board with leaders from companies like Microchip Technology Inc., Northrop Grumman, and Freeport-McMoRan. These connections facilitate a robust internship program, capstone projects addressing real business challenges, and an annual speaker series featuring executives from organizations like the Semiconductor Industry Association. The center also works closely with public entities such as the Arizona Board of Regents and the City of Mesa to align its programs with regional economic development goals. Category:Arizona State University Category:Technology management Category:Educational institutions established in 1998 Category:Mesa, Arizona