U of I System VP for Economic Development & Innovation

Opening Doors, Powering Illinois The decision to attend college usually comes with a catch: You can go, but only if you can afford it. Across the country, that calculation fails—college costs rising, aid falling short, families left to bridge the gap or walk away. In Illinois, something different is happening. This year, the Univ...

Jay Walsh and Jisu Hong attended the Rock Island Arsenal Defense Alliance (RIADA) board meeting this week to further the RIADA partnership with the Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute (QCMI). The group toured Iowa State University's Quad Cities Smart Design and Manufacturing Lab, one of the region’s most advanced R&D resources.

Manufacturers interested in pursuing R&D projects with QCMI universities – Iowa State University, University of Illinois and Western Illinois University – are encouraged to reach out to the respective units.

Illinois-based Quad Cities manufacturers can access funding support through The University of Illinois System R&D capabilities by leveraging the Illinois Innovation Voucher (IIV) Program. The IIV program will begin accepting applications starting February 2, 2026.

Learn more 👉 bit.ly/4qLNR1P
IIV Program 👉 ilinnovoucher.istcoalition.org/

Our 2025 annual report highlights the economic impact of the University of Illinois System, with new data showing the breadth of our reach across Illinois. You'll see compelling snapshots of systemwide innovation, groundbreaking research and discovery, and the life-changing healthcare we provide—all while educating a record 101,081 students.

The report reflects the essence of our mission: expanding access, driving discovery, and delivering impact.

📖 Spend some time with "Collective Strength, Public Good": https://ow.ly/eGfc50Y0UXN

The power of The University of Illinois System's international partnerships in action. 🤝

These grants and the research they support will impact food production, health care and much more!

The Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute (QCMI) team was honored to host the leadership of the Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) earlier this week at Iowa State University’s Davenport Lab!

We extend our sincere gratitude to COL Martinez (JMTC Commander), Greg Lupton (Deputy Commander), Chris Largent, Megan Schumacher, and Randl Besse, for their service and unwavering dedication to advancing the JMTC mission: Empowering global defense readiness by innovating, manufacturing, and delivering products to the U.S. Army and Department of Defense systems – through both conventional and advanced processes.

As an advanced manufacturing research and workforce development partnership, the Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute (QCMI) brings together Iowa State University, The University of Illinois System, and Western Illinois University. Through this collaboration, we’re driving innovation, developing talent pipelines, and strengthening the nation’s defense manufacturing capabilities.

We look forward to continuing this collaboration to deliver impact and progress!

2025 saw tremendous momentum at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, coming soon to the lakeshore on Chicago's southeast side. It'll be a first-of-its-kind campus built for quantum technology and microelectronics innovation and scale-up.

Anchor tenants made commitments and its first groundbreaking occurred, as the IQMP looks to revitalize the area and become a world leader in quantum research.

And their website went live this spring! Read more about them 👉 https://iqmp.org/

Happy holidays from the Office of the Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation!

Congratulations to retired Army Col. Shawn Creamer! 👏

“By aligning our vision, resources and expertise, we will accelerate advanced manufacturing and defense-related technologies that strengthen both the regional economy and national security.”
-- Jay Walsh, QCMI board chairman and The University of Illinois System’s vice president for economic development and innovation.

The Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute and Rock Island Arsenal Defense Alliance are joining forces to supercharge the economic engine of the Quad Cities region. 🤝📈🏭

Their first order of business: bringing aboard retired Army Colonel Shawn Creamer as their new executive director.

“This partnership between QCMI, the Quad Cities Chamber and RIADA brings together regional economic leadership and a shared commitment to innovation and workforce development,” said Jay Walsh, the QCMI board chairman and the University of Illinois System’s vice president for economic development and innovation. “Shawn’s record of leading complex organizations, forging strategic alliances and delivering results makes him exceptionally well-suited to guide QCMI’s growth and impact.”

Learn more about Creamer and his new mission: https://ow.ly/gUYX50XtIl1