VGN Academic Partnerships
Hampton presented a VGN academic partnership initiative on how universities can serve as engines of innovation and talent. “Academic institutions can be a great source of out-of-the-box thinking and short-term resources for projects and problem-solv- ing opportunities,” he said. Drawing from personal experiences with Texas Tech University and Boise State University as CIO for Jacksons Food Stores, Hampton described how partnerships had delivered practical business outcomes while also strengthening recruitment pipelines. Capstone Projects Create Mutual Successes Hampton explained that semester-long capstone projects create structured opportunities for collaboration for retail organizations, emphasizing the required formalities of such projects including having students sign NDAs (non-disclosure agreements), license agreements, and compensation for any IP (intellectual property) that was used. Weekly check-ins with students and faculty and clear requirements ensured alignment. And, final presentations exposed students to real business units and provided companies with new insights. “It was kind of a win-win all around,” Hampton noted, reflecting on multiple successful projects at Jacksons. He noted that his alma mater Texas Tech University is already interested in collaborating with VGN.
“ One thing that was a great benefit that came out of the work I did with Jacksons and Boise State is we opened up a pipeline of great students and talented individuals to come into the department. In fact, I believe the number was four out of the five folks that I hired on the BI (Business Intelligence) team came through Boise State through their program. So, it was a great way to introduce students to the industry and to help folks recognize that the convenience industry isn’t just about selling beer and cigarettes at 2 A.M. We’re doing a lot of really cool things.
Robert Hampton , Director of Strategic Growth and Initiatives, Vision Group Network
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