The best and most productive partnerships begin with and build on an active and successful recruiting program that involves schools across the Grounds. Many strong relationships revolve around active, highly placed alumni. However, other relationships need to develop around this core for companies to achieve long-term viability and presence. Companies come to UVa most often for recruiting purposes, followed by research activities. However, many companies delegate institutional relationships to recruiting personnel, who are often in junior positions where the turnover is high.
Effective companies keep the same executives assigned to university relations to ensure continuity.
Effective companies value universities for the expertise they supply, and they cultivate the people who supply it as much as they do their other key suppliers of materials, components and services. They think of us as partners. They craft joint agendas, are open in their communication, and are involved in research affiliate and partner programs. Some companies make annual grants, fund scholarships, make periodic major gifts, provide new equipment and software, and support the upgrading or construction of laboratories and facilities. Effective companies maintain an active dialogue with career services staff, use young alumni as part of the team, get to know students through internship and co-op programs, make an effort to know faculty, and work toward mutually valuable research practices or relationships.