Slippery Rock University's economic development initiatives can be organized into four broad categories:

• Collaboration with Business and industry, Corporate Alliances, Business Accelerators and/or Entrepreneurial Activities
• Collaboration with Non-Profit Groups
• Collaboration with Other Educational Institutions
• Regional Economic Development and Collaboration with Government

Below are some sample programs that demonstrate the university's commitment to positively impacting the Western Pennsylvania economy and its communities.

Mercer High School/Exercise Science Collaboration 

SRU Exercise Science faculty and students worked with Mercer High School students during the Spring 2007 semester to provide information regarding fitness and wellness.  Exercise Science students conducted physical fitness assessments, gave wellness presentations, demonstrated exercise science technology, and provided fitness classes.  This collaboration provided the Exercise Science students the opportunity to present their knowledge and practice their skills. The Mercer High School students learned more about their personal wellness/fitness level and the Exercise Science major.

Customized Job Training (CJT) Program

The Division of Lifelong Learning is an approved Local Education Agent (LEA) for the Department of Community & Economic Development.  The CJT Program includes conducting a needs analysis for a requesting company, converting that needs analysis into a three year training plan, preparing a request for training funds that is submitted to the Commonwealth, delivering training services based upon the training plan, and acting as the contracted fiscal agent.  As of June 30, 2007, there were 14 active awards, 4 under development and 3 in the review stage totaling $2,866,032.  8,798 people participated in the training funded by these grants.

National Board of Professional Teaching Standards Initiative

SRU's College of Education, through incentives received from a $1.4 million Teacher Quality Enhancement (TQE) grant, continues to provide professional educators enrolled in the Professional Development Schools the opportunity to become nationally certified.  Participants take course work related to the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and are guided through the process by College of Education faculty.  The program is in keeping with PA Governor Ed Rendell's initiative to increase the number of nationally certified teachers in Pennsylvania.  To date, all that have entered the program have received their national certification.

Study of Freeze Tolerance 

Dr. Jack R. Layne, Jr., Associate Professor of Biology, is working with frozen tree frogs to develop commercial methods of cooling and freezing human donor organs for transplant.

Advisory Councils, Board Memberships and Chambers of Commerce

The Division of Lifelong Learning is an active participant on the Lawrence County CareerLink Employers Advisory Council and also represents the SRU President on the Penn-Northwest Development Corporation Board of Directors.  These agencies are responsible for most of the economic development programs and initiatives in Lawrence and Mercer counties.  In addition, the division is an active member of five local chambers of commerce.