CEIED Head Joins UEDA Board

The Executive Director of Alabama A&M University's Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Economic Development (CEIED), an important unit of its College of Business and Public Affairs, made history recently at an annual event in San Antonio, Texas.

Dr. Teresa M. Orok was elected to serve as an officer on the board of the University Economic Development Association (UEDA).  

“We are excited to have Teresa move into the role of vice president with the UEDA team!" commented UEDA President Rebecca Robinson.  "She becomes the first Black female and HBCU representative to serve in this capacity.  Her experience in economic development, education, and innovation is a welcome asset as we build engaging programming and initiatives for our members.”

"I am grateful for the vote of confidence from my team members, and the opportunity to serve in this critically important role," said Dr. Orok.   "I look forward to enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion across our HBCUs and underrepresented communities to bridge the gaps within this important national social- economic development narrative, along with ecosystem diversity." 

Established in 1976, the University Economic Development Association (UEDA) is the cornerstone membership organization representing higher education, private sector and community economic development stakeholders. UEDA works to expand economic opportunity in communities by leveraging research, community resources, campus planning, talent development, and technology  commercialization. UEDA’s mission is to serve its members by enhancing members’ abilities to deliver economic development benefits through engagement with higher education.