How Rowen’s Academic Partnerships Build a Future-Ready Workforce

In today’s rapidly evolving economy, the demand for talent has never been greater. Corporate executives across industries are seeking skilled workers who are agile problem-solvers and have the technical credentials to get the job done. As companies compete for this caliber of talent, the Rowen Region is emerging as a hub for workforce development. Nearly half of Georgia’s projected prime working-age (25-64) population growth will occur within the region over five years, from 2023 to 2028.   

Located in the heart of Georgia’s research corridor, Rowen is uniquely positioned to harness the power of more than 50 higher education institutions, with the majority housed within the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia. Through dynamic partnerships with Emory University, Georgia Gwinnett College, Georgia Tech (GT), Spelman College, the University of Georgia (UGA) and the state’s technical community colleges, Rowen is building a robust and sustainable talent pipeline fueling the state’s workforce needs and a thriving economic future. 

Rowen’s Role in Building Georgia’s Largest Knowledge Community

At the core of Rowen’s strategy is the concept of the “knowledge community,” a powerful geographic and intellectual hub formed by research institutions, universities, technical colleges and industry partners. The ultimate goal: a powerful convergence of research, collaboration, mentoring and education that amplifies Georgia’s economic profile by leveraging the region’s unique talent pool, Fortune 500 companies and colleges and universities. 

Rowen sits at the center, offering unparalleled access and an inspiring physical location for Georgia’s top universities to create a collaborative ecosystem between students and startups, researchers and corporations, and educators and policymakers. The result is a dynamic environment where ideas are tested, talent is nurtured, career pathways are forged, and innovation is accelerated.  

According to the Rowen Region workforce study, the area boasts nearly 2 million workers, 70 percent of whom hold a higher education degree, a 4.89 percent population growth rate over a five-year span that exceeds the state’s average, and a quality of life that keeps retention high. This educated workforce migrating to the region is bolstered by a steady stream of graduates from nearby institutions, making the Rowen Region a magnet for industry seeking skilled professionals in fields ranging from life sciences to engineering. 

University Partnerships Fuel Talent Development

Rowen’s partnerships with Georgia’s top universities are deeply integrated and aligned with its mission. Each institution brings unique strengths to the table, creating a comprehensive talent development strategy that spans disciplines and industries.      

• Emory University: As a prestigious private research institution, Emory is a powerhouse in health sciences and environmental research, developing cutting-edge treatment advancements. Rowen also partners with Emory’s Center for AI Learning, building AI literacy in communities across Georgia.   

• Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC): As the first four-year, public college established in the U.S. in the 21st century, GGC offers 21 majors and over 60 programs of study, including environmental science, health science, biology, and chemistry, which align with Rowen’s key target industries.  

• Georgia Tech (GT): Renowned for its engineering and technology programs, Georgia Tech partners globally in areas aligned with Rowen’s mission, including civil and environmental engineering initiatives, agricultural innovation and biomedical technologies. These collaborations are helping to develop solutions in infrastructure, food systems and healthcare by providing hands-on learning opportunities. 

• Spelman College: A premier institution for women of African descent, the college cultivates a powerful pipeline of biochemists, physicists, and globally-engaged STEM researchers with a 76 percent graduation rate, one of the highest in the nation.  

• University of Georgia (UGA): UGA is a leader in agricultural and environmental sciences, engineering and medicine. Rowen collaborates with UGA to support researchers, scientists and farmers in accelerating discovery and commercialization in Georgia, specifically in areas related to climate change, electric vehicles and land use.  

These are just a handful of Rowen’s academic partnerships that align with its mission to create a transformational community of learning experiences and research opportunities across industries. Rowen’s “Living Labs” projects, a collaboration with higher education institutions, support research and experiential learning opportunities to prepare students for the demands of the next-generation workplace. By embedding real-world experience into academic pathways, Rowen and its partners ensure that Georgia’s graduates are skilled and job-ready.     

Rowen Encourages a Sustainable Workforce Pipeline

Large companies and small business startups that establish operations in the Rowen region benefit from a steady flow of highly qualified candidates trained in the competencies those businesses need.  

Take, for example, pre-seed investor Techstars, which recently launched an accelerator program that provides early-stage founders with structured support to develop and scale their ventures with Emory students. This program cultivates a startup ecosystem within the Rowen Region, tapping into Georgia’s up-and-coming research talent to provide real-life experience while enabling the startup to accelerate product development.  

Meanwhile, UGA actively collaborates with various companies through internships that offer students invaluable experience working on real-world challenges, and some are hired for full-time career opportunities upon graduation. 

This kind of synergy is exactly what Rowen was designed to create. By aligning academic programs with industry needs, Rowen is helping to attract and retain talent in Georgia and support its long-term economic growth. As more companies recognize the value of this integrated approach, the region is poised to become a national model for workforce sustainability. 

Future-Ready Starts Here

Rowen is more than an economic development project. It’s a vision for the future of work. By combining the strengths of education and industry in an unmatched testbed of talent, Rowen is supporting the creation of a talent ecosystem that meets the evolving needs of employers while empowering students to thrive in high-impact careers.  

Strategic collaboration is the cornerstone of this success. Whether it is through research partnerships or experiential learning, Rowen is participating in shaping a top-tier local workforce that will drive Georgia’s economy for decades to come.  

For businesses looking to stay ahead in a competitive landscape, the message is clear: the future-ready workforce starts here. Engage with Rowen, and be part of a dynamic ecosystem where talent, innovation, and opportunity converge.