Textron Aviation joins Innovation Campus at WSU
Press Release
August 01, 2019
Wichita State University and Textron Aviation, a Textron Inc. company, have announced the next step in ongoing collaboration efforts to develop the future of the aviation industry and next generation of employees when the company signed a long-term lease at the Wichita State Innovation Campus.
Around 40 Textron Aviation employees will share the 5,000 square foot space with Wichita State students to advance product innovation and help students better understand career opportunities within general aviation.
“Our business is built on continuous product development and requires a diverse, professional workforce,” said Maggie Topping, Textron Aviation senior vice president of Human Resources and Communications. “As the competition for employees tightens, Textron Aviation is committed to leading the way in building creative education and community collaborations through efforts such as the applied learning model at WSU.”
Textron Aviation has a long-standing relationship with WSU’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) and collaborates extensively with WSU’s Ennovar Institute for Emerging Technologies and Market Solutions. In the new space at Wichita State, the company plans to conduct research and development in the areas of additive manufacturing, parts casting and electrical design.
“WSU students working with Textron Aviation through the applied learning program are gaining valuable experience, skills, and contacts that will jump-start their careers while also providing Textron Aviation valuable access to local talent,” said John Tomblin, WSU vice president for research and technology transfer. “WSU is excited to expand and grow this program across Textron Aviation.”
In addition to the company’s ongoing work with NIAR and WSU Tech, Textron Aviation operates a company Help Hangar through Ennovar to offer employees information technology and human resources support. More than 60 Wichita State students work side by side with Textron Aviation employees to support regular business needs.
Changes at WSU's Ennovar
By Josh Heck – Reporter, Wichita Business Journal
Jun 15, 2018
Changes are in store for the Ennovar Institute of Emerging Technologies and Market Solutions.
The Wichita State University division, which provides students applied learning opportunities in the technology sector, is in the midst of a leadership change and the merging of two subsidiaries.
Kenton Hansen left Ennovar after having been the director of product development for Ennovar Software for nearly three years to take a product director position with Roll20.net, a technology company that develops virtual software for tabletop games. Hansen says he will remain in Wichita and will work remotely for Roll20.
Matt Forney is taking over leadership of the Ennovar Institute of Emerging Technologies and Market Solutions.
BRITTANY SCHOWALTER / WBJ
Matt Forney, who has been the executive director of technology for Ennovar Technology Solutions, has taken over as Ennovar’s director.
Ennovar Software and Ennovar Technology Solutions now will operate as a single entity, but the focus of the once-separate divisions won’t change.
Ennovar emphasizes education and experiential learning with a technology focus by using student employees to help companies complete development projects.
One example is the organization’s partnership with Textron Aviation to give information technology students real-world learning opportunities. In this case, WSU students are involved with a technical help desk that provides walk-up support for Textron employees.
Ennovar is a derivative of the Spanish word “innovar,” meaning to innovate.
The organization was recognized in 2016 as part of the Wichita Business Journal’s Innovation Awards.
WSU’s Ennovar partners with Textron Aviation for applied learning opportunities
By Daniel McCoy – Reporter, Wichita Business Journal
Sep 20, 2017
Ennovar Technology Solutions at Wichita State University has partnered with Wichita-based Textron Aviation to give information technology students real-world learning opportunities.
The university says on its website that students involved in the program are working at the company’s onsite “Help Hangar,” a technical help desk that provides walk-up support to Textron Aviation employees.
Wichita State University's Ennovar has partnered with Textron Aviation to provide students real-world experience with technical support work in a corporate environment.
COURTESY WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY
"It's a huge benefit for the students to be onsite and learn everyday scenarios," said Tom Rose, Ennovar’s senior technical manager and student supervisor. "There are opportunities for personal interaction, and the students can experience the culture of a corporate environment."
The university says 10 computer science students are currently working in the onsite station, helping troubleshoot IT issues ranging from password resets to mobile device support.
Textron Aviation, the Wichita-based division of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), employs around 9,300 people at its local facilities.
The company builds and supports multiple lines of business jets and general aviation aircraft, such as Cessna Citation jets and Beechcraft King Air turboprops.