KCV Champion at NKU, Samantha Langley, attended the AUTM Annual Meeting in February 2024. KCV sponsored Langley's attendance through the KCV GOAL (Growth, Opportunity and Learning) Fund, which expands access to professional opportunities and resources for KCV partner institutions. Langley shared more about the experience below.
Was this your first experience at AUTM? Why did you want to attend?
Yes, this was my first experience at an AUTM conference, although I have been a member for years. More and more NKU faculty are becoming involved in inventions and tech transfer (thanks to KCV), and I want to ensure that I provide the support they need to be successful. I thought AUTM would be a good professional development opportunity to learn about recent developments and also learn from other colleagues at regional universities.
What is one takeaway from AUTM you plan to incorporate into your work?
It is hard to list just one – I have a notebook full! But I think that my most valuable takeaways center around how to raise the profile and increase the recognition of faculty involved in intellectual property and tech transfer work on campus.
Was there anything that about AUTM that surprised you?
I was surprised that they had sessions specifically for people working at smaller universities, or in one or two person offices. I expected that the focus would be on larger university operations.
Why is it important for you to participate in conferences and professional opportunities such as AUTM?
Professional development is important to keep my skills and knowledge up to date and for networking and making new connections.
Would you recommend that others attend AUTM? Why?
Yes, I would recommend that others attend AUTM. It is a great opportunity to network with other tech transfer professionals, hear from some high-profile speakers, and increase or refresh your knowledge in tech transfer.
Is there anything else you want to share about your experience?
Attending the conference was also a great opportunity to get to know the KCV staff better, and also to network with the large Kentucky tech transfer contingent.
Do you have a professional opportunity you'd like to pursue?
Contact kcv@kstc.com to learn more about the GOAL Fund.