As part of a major push to expand regional economic development and innovation, the South Jersey Technology Park at Rowan University has officially rebranded as Rowan Innovations & Strategic Enterprises (RISE).
The organizational shift, approved during the board’s annual reorganization meeting on Oct. 20, expands the group’s mission beyond traditional technology transfer. RISE will now drive economic growth through a wider lens, encompassing real estate development, capital projects, industry partnerships, workforce development, online education, and research commercialization.
Alongside the rebrand, the RISE Board of Directors elected Steve Sweeney—Gloucester County administrator and former New Jersey Senate president—to serve as board chair. Sweeney, who has deep ties to Rowan University and a long track record of championing South Jersey infrastructure and education, will help guide the organization’s next chapter of growth, particularly around Rowan’s expanding West Campus.
To leverage Rowan’s unique position as a rising public research institution with three medical schools, the board appointed top executives from the region’s leading healthcare systems to help guide its strategic growth:
- Amy Mansue – President and CEO of Inspira Health, bringing decades of executive leadership in healthcare and public service.
- Kevin O’Dowd – Co-President and CEO of Cooper Norcross Health, bringing extensive legal and public sector experience tied to the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.
- Dennis Pullin – President and CEO of Virtua Health, known for advancing health equity and innovation through the Virtua Health College of Medicine & Life Sciences of Rowan University.
Additionally, Rowan civil and environmental engineering Ph.D. candidate Swathi Malluru was appointed to the board’s open student seat, representing the next generation of researchers working out of Rowan’s Center for Research & Education in Advanced Transportation Engineering Systems.
“As one of the country’s leading and fastest-growing public research institutions, it’s our responsibility to drive innovation, build the workforce pipeline and attract investment to the region,” said Rowan University President Ali A. Houshmand.
The Rowan University Board of Trustees is slated to formally consider the name change during its annual retreat.
