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Maverick Innovation Gateway, Powered by Nidec Shaping tomorrow's innovators through interdisciplinary learning and industry collaboration.

We serve all students and faculty from any discipline as well as the regional community helping to cultivate innovation and accelerate entrepreneurship.

We’re excited to see the Maverick Innovation Gateway, Powered by Nidec, and our Director Lisa Haman featured in Minnesot...
10/07/2026

We’re excited to see the Maverick Innovation Gateway, Powered by Nidec, and our Director Lisa Haman featured in Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Today Magazine!

As Lisa shared, “Students learn from others, and others learn from students, so if we can bring that collaboration together, I think it’s a unique gateway for learning.”

That spirit of connection and collaboration is at the heart of what we’re building at the Gateway.

Read the full “Innovation Renovation” feature in Today Magazine: https://www.mnsu.edu/today-magazine/innovation-renovation/

“AI has some great potential if it is used wisely.”Dr. Rajeev Bukralia recently joined MPR News’ Minnesota Now to discus...
10/06/2026

“AI has some great potential if it is used wisely.”

Dr. Rajeev Bukralia recently joined MPR News’ Minnesota Now to discuss Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Artificial Intelligence Master’s program, including the importance of preparing students to harness AI’s potential while understanding the ethical and other risks that come with it.

We’re excited to continue the conversation at the Maverick Innovation Gateway!

Join Dr. Bukralia on November 4 for When AI Takes Action: Navigating the New Agentic Frontier, where he’ll explore how AI is evolving from answering questions and making predictions to autonomous agents that can take action, and how organizations can harness the opportunities while navigating security, privacy and operational risks.

November 4 | 3:30–5:00 PM
Maverick Innovation Gateway | 230 Stadium Road, Mankato
Register: link.mnsu.edu/cto

This event is part of the Richard & Mary Schmitz Endowment Leadership & Innovation Series on Emerging AI.

Listen to Dr. Bukralia’s full MPR interview: https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2026/09/29/minnesota-now-sept-29-2026?utm_id=97757_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demo0jeyosno&fbclid=IwY2xjawUx7hJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBWJyaWQRMWtlcjZkWU5SN2FLWFFMSzZzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeSypSm-a5YSKWDwhfGQ8zJhwL--lUBz4-i8Fhuf1CFVO20SJoCygiPCS4SLc_aem_-BagaP8NAVFJl_5tl_Vb7w

Manufacturing is more than what happens on the production floor. It takes expertise across engineering, operations, mark...
10/05/2026

Manufacturing is more than what happens on the production floor. It takes expertise across engineering, operations, marketing, human resources, leadership and more to keep the industry moving forward.

Join us for the October edition of Maverick Bites & Insights: Powering the Future of Manufacturing, featuring leaders from Nidec Power:

• Colin McKissick, Senior Marketing Director
• Daniel Fleming, Application Engineering Manager
• David Strohsack, President
• Lori Schlueter, Senior Operations Director
• Sandi Hollerich, Senior HR Business Partner

Hear directly from industry professionals about their roles, how different areas of a manufacturing organization work together, and the opportunities available across a variety of career paths.

Tuesday, October 13
12:00–1:00 PM
230 Stadium Rd, Mankato, MN
Free lunch provided
Registration is required: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/DBwBjkk5TN

Maverick Bites & Insights brings students, faculty, industry professionals and community members together for conversations that connect the classroom with the workplace.

As part of the Richard & Mary Schmitz Endowment Leadership & Innovation Series on Emerging AI, Lin Chase joined us last ...
09/29/2026

As part of the Richard & Mary Schmitz Endowment Leadership & Innovation Series on Emerging AI, Lin Chase joined us last week for an engaging and interactive conversation on The Power of AI in Accounting.

The discussion explored how AI is changing the way we analyze data, automate everyday tasks, and make financial decisions. One key takeaway: AI isn’t simply about getting an answer faster. It’s about knowing how to use these tools effectively, asking better questions, understanding the information behind the answer, and recognizing when human judgment is still essential.

Thank you to Lin and everyone who joined us and contributed to the conversation!

Ready to put it into practice? Lin returns to the Gateway this Friday, October 2, from 8 AM - 5 PM for a FREE, hands-on workshop where participants will build a five-year financial projection model and explore how AI can enhance forecasting, automation, and financial modeling.

Registeration is required: link.mnsu.edu/lin2

We officially kicked off our Maverick Bites & Insights Lunch and Learn Series today with AI in Healthcare: From Innovati...
09/17/2026

We officially kicked off our Maverick Bites & Insights Lunch and Learn Series today with AI in Healthcare: From Innovation to Impact

The panel brought together perspectives from healthcare, engineering, technology and education to explore how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of healthcare.

The conversation highlighted both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with AI. Panelists discussed how AI can support healthcare professionals by reducing administrative burdens, identifying patterns and improving decision-making, while emphasizing the continued importance of human judgment. The discussion also explored data quality, patient privacy, bias, transparency and the need to carefully evaluate AI-generated information.

One message came through clearly: realizing the potential of AI in healthcare will require collaboration. Clinicians, nurses, engineers, data scientists, educators, administrators and patients all have a role to play in ensuring these technologies are useful, responsible and centered on real healthcare needs.

A special thank you to our panelists for sharing their expertise and perspectives and thank you to everyone who joined us for the first Maverick Bites & Insights session!

Up next in the series:
Powering the Future of Manufacturing: A Panel Discussion Featuring Nidec Power Leaders
Tuesday, October 13 | 12:00–1:00 PM
230 Stadium Rd, Mankato, MN 56001

We hope you’ll join us for another opportunity to connect, learn and hear directly from industry leaders. Register now: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/DBwBjkk5TN

Today we welcomed Scott McDonald, CFO & Board Director at Taylor Corporation, for How to Network in the Professional Wor...
09/16/2026

Today we welcomed Scott McDonald, CFO & Board Director at Taylor Corporation, for How to Network in the Professional World: Beyond LinkedIn and Career Fairs.

The conversation was a great reminder that networking happens everywhere, from industry events and professional associations to volunteering, community involvement, mentorship, and everyday workplace interactions. Strong networks are built through genuine relationships, not simply collecting contacts, and developing your personal brand can help others know, remember, and connect with you. Attendees also explored how mentors and professional connections can introduce new opportunities and perspectives, and how networking is a skill that becomes more natural and confident with practice.

Thank you to Scott for sharing his time and perspective, and to everyone who joined us in person and virtually!

There’s plenty more to come at the Gateway! We have more opportunities ahead to learn, connect, and grow. Check out our upcoming course and event offerings to see what’s next and join us for an upcoming session: https://mnscu.rschooltoday.com/public/getclass/category_id/48/program_id/9/subcategory_id/2109

There’s plenty happening at the Maverick Innovation Gateway this week! Join us for two lunchtime opportunities to learn,...
09/14/2026

There’s plenty happening at the Maverick Innovation Gateway this week! Join us for two lunchtime opportunities to learn, connect, and gain practical insights you can put to work.

Wednesday, September 16 | 12:00–1:00 PM
How to Network in the Professional World: Beyond LinkedIn and Career Fairs
Featuring Scott McDonald, CFO & Board Director at Taylor Corporation. Explore practical strategies for building meaningful professional connections, strengthening your personal brand, and networking with confidence and purpose. Attend in person or virtually.
Register: https://mnscu.rschooltoday.com/public/costoption/class_id/318521

Thursday, September 17 | 12:00–1:00 PM
Maverick Bites & Insights: AI in Healthcare: From Innovation to Impact
Join us for the first Maverick Bites & Insights Lunch & Learn of the year! Hear from a multidisciplinary panel of Minnesota State Mankato faculty as they explore how AI is shaping healthcare, from emerging innovations to real-world applications. Free lunch included!
Register: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/ULuX7wkFyr

Whether you’re interested in growing your professional network or exploring the impact of AI, there’s a seat for you at the Gateway this week.

Registration is required. Reserve your spot today!

AI is changing the way we work, and accounting is no exception.Join us at the Maverick Innovation Gateway for The Power ...
09/10/2026

AI is changing the way we work, and accounting is no exception.

Join us at the Maverick Innovation Gateway for The Power of AI in Accounting, part of the Richard & Mary Schmitz Endowment Leadership & Innovation Series.

Featuring Lin Chase, this interactive session will explore practical ways AI can help businesses manage money, analyze data, automate tasks, and make decisions, while looking ahead at what AI means for the future of accounting.

Wednesday, September 23
3:30–5:00 PM
230 Stadium Rd, Mankato, MN

Register: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/ftwxfjDZ6L

We were excited to welcome freshmen from Minnesota State University, Mankato’s international partner institution, Chuo U...
09/10/2026

We were excited to welcome freshmen from Minnesota State University, Mankato’s international partner institution, Chuo University, to the Maverick Innovation Gateway!

During their visit, our Director, Lisa Haman, shared how the Gateway brings people and ideas together through collaboration, innovation, and teamwork.

She also highlighted the power of partnership, including Nidec Power’s strong support of the Gateway and its role in creating opportunities for students in the College of Business’s Integrated Business Experience program.

It was a great opportunity to connect with our international partners and showcase how the Gateway helps bring students, industry and community together.

We’re excited to launch a new lunch and learn series at the Maverick Innovation Gateway, bringing together students, fac...
09/09/2026

We’re excited to launch a new lunch and learn series at the Maverick Innovation Gateway, bringing together students, faculty, industry professionals, and community members for meaningful conversations around timely topics and emerging ideas.

Our first session: AI in Healthcare: From Innovation to Impact

How is artificial intelligence changing healthcare, and what does that mean for the future of patient care, technology, and the healthcare workforce?

Thursday, September 17, 2026
12:00–1:00 PM
230 Stadium Rd., Mankato, MN

Registration is required: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/ULuX7wkFyr

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230 Stadium Road
Mankato, MN
56001

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Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

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