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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Network of Academic Corporate Relations Officers (NACRO) Launches 2026 Industry Perspectives SurveyNACRO’s national benchmarking initiative aims to capture corporate insight to strengthen and inform university–industry partnerships LaGrange, GA — February 26, 2026 — The Network of Academic Corporate Relations Officers (NACRO), the premier organization unifying academic corporate relations professionals, has launched its 2026 Industry Perspectives Survey, a national initiative designed to capture corporate insights on the evolving university–industry engagement landscape. As part of NACRO’s mission to advance effective and strategic academic–industry partnerships, the Industry Perspectives Survey provides an environmental scan informed directly by corporate partners. The survey gathers feedback on key areas including philanthropic engagement, research investment, and evolving corporate responsibility priorities. All survey responses will be treated as confidential and reported only in aggregate. Results will be shared with NACRO members and participating institutions. The survey remains open through May 1, 2026. “This survey reflects NACRO’s commitment to elevating the corporate relations profession through data‑informed practice,” says Heather Hirsch, Chair Elect of NACRO’s Benchmarking Committee and Director of Development, Corporate Relations with the Texas A&M Foundation. “By encouraging our member institutions to actively invite their corporate partners to participate, we amplify industry voices and equip our members with actionable insight to navigate changing priorities and build more sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships.” NACRO is requesting institutional support to enable NACRO member staff to share the survey with their corporate partners. Each NACRO member is encouraged to invite at least two corporate partners to participate. With collective outreach, NACRO aims to exceed 100 respondents, ensuring robust benchmarking and actionable insights for member institutions. “At a moment when institutions are being asked to make increasingly strategic decisions about partnerships and funding, it is critical that we ground our work in direct input from corporate partners,” says Dave Ortendahl, NACRO Past President and Director of Corporate Foundation Relations with the University of Connecticut. “The Industry Perspectives Survey provides NACRO members with trusted, aggregated insight that helps inform leadership conversations, validate strategy and strengthen university–industry engagement nationwide.” Aggregated results will support institutional decision-making at a time of significant financial and enrollment pressures across higher education. Findings have historically helped NACRO members validate strategy, inform leadership discussions and advance data-informed approaches to building sustainable corporate funding pipelines. Participation also offers corporate partners a meaningful opportunity to engage with the academic corporate relations community and contribute to a national dialogue shaping future collaboration models. About NACRO: Media Contact: |
