The L3Harris Corporation Innovation in Industry Program, managed by the Engineering Innovation Institute (EII), supports a variety of programs intended to provide students with opportunities to interact with and learn from innovators who operate within industry and large companies. The focus of these programs is to convey to students how innovation and entrepreneurial thinking flourish in larger companies. EII supports a series of invited speakers to come to campus and address students on the importance of innovation in industry and how these can impact both the career of the engineer and the company for whom they work.

Department Chairs within the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering nominate industry innovation leaders, preferably alumni, for this series. Departments coordinate a schedule for the day with EII, including timing of the talk to coincide with an appropriate class in the department, followed by a reception. Additionally, the EII works with the department to arrange for faculty and other meetings during the day to make the engagement as fruitful as possible for the college, department and guest speaker. EII has budgeted for eight speakers over the next year and nominations are accepted on a rolling basis.

For the Spring 2019 Semester, the L3Harris Innovation in Industry Speaker was Mr. Erik de la Iglesia, a BSEE graduate nominated by the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE). Mr. de la Iglesia spoke to the Engineering Entrepreneurship Class, met with faculty and students in the ECE Department, and presented a guest lecture for the department.

Funding for this speaker series was provided through L3Harris’ Charitable Fund at the Community Foundation for Brevard.