Washington College Innovation Plant
Through a cutting-edge commercial kitchen, entrepreneurship center, makerspace, and experimental garden, the Innovation Plant will catalyze educational and economic opportunity across the region. We cultivate an inclusive, collaborative environment where community members and campus partners of all ages and backgrounds can come together to build workplace skills; develop new crafts, products and technologies; launch innovative ventures; and tackle the region's most pressing social challenges.
Department of Political Science
Patrick Nugent
Thomas V. Mike Miller Director of Civic Engagement, Assistant Research Professor of Civic Engagement- 443-812-0778
- [email protected]
- The Custom House
Innovation Plant Programs
Summer Workforce Development
Washington College students mentored high school interns in the first summer workforce development program, held in 2025. Active public school and private partners, several matching funders, and over 60 internship applicants confirmed that workforce development programming is in high demand within the region. Post-program interviews and learning assessments confirmed that interns gained significant skills and confidence through the program.
Innovation Fellowships
The Curriculum Innovation Fellowship program engages faculty, educators, and community experts in creating hands-on learning experiences that bridge academics with real-world application. Designed to foster cross-sector collaboration, fellowships connect college students, K–12 learners, and local residents with projects in technology, trades, arts, and entrepreneurship.
Mobile Innovation Lab
A collaboration between Washington College and Chesapeake College, the Mobile Innovation Lab teaches basic construction and manufacturing skills, while creating opportunities for on-site experiential learning. This mobile innovation lab will be a shared educational resource to enhance workforce skills, provide hands-on learning opportunities, support regional economic development, and broaden the reach of the Washington College Innovation Plant. The lab consists of a well-equipped trailer pulled by a truck and may be expanded to include additional trailers for other workforce development and training purposes. The tools and training will be integrated into classrooms and programming across Chesapeake College, Washington College, and local K-12 schools.
Innovation Plant Updates
Kent County Community Invited to Groundbreaking at Washington College’s New Innovation Plant
Attendees will get an inside look at this future community kitchen, entrepreneurship center, and makerspace designed to bring campus and community together to address civic challenges.
Hip Hop Time Capsule Paints New Future for Innovation Plant
A vibrant new mural now graces the outside of the Innovation Plant at 800 High Street, drawing attention to something even more transformative unfolding inside and around it: the growth of an inclusive, youth-driven vision for the site's future.
Innovation Plant Project Receives Major Grant from Ratcliffe Foundation
Over $1 million will go towards expanding the community facing work, including a Curriculum Innovation Fellowship Program, at the old Dixon Valve property in Chestertown.
Planned Facilities
Entrepreneurship Center
With the opening of the Warehime School of Business, the College is investing in the existing strength of its business department and entrepreneurship courses. A dedicated space in the Innovation Plant will allow students and local residents to develop their ideas into viable businesses with collaboration and support from one another and the College. Washington students will help local entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground by contributing their skills.
Makerspace
The Innovation Plant will offer a series of makerspaces made available to artists, entrepreneurs, students, and non-profits, including spaces for woodworking, metalworking, and 3D printing.
Teaching Kitchen
A commercial-grade community kitchen in the Innovation Plant, available to entrepreneurs, non-profits, and educators in food services, will combine with agricultural initiatives at the Washington College Center for Environment and Society to enable a more just, secure, and sustainable food system in the region.
Department of Political Science
Patrick Nugent
Thomas V. Mike Miller Director of Civic Engagement, Assistant Research Professor of Civic Engagement- 443-812-0778
- [email protected]
- The Custom House