When Luke Scrivanich graduated from Old Dominion University last May, he already knew he wanted to start a business. As part of ODU’s first entrepreneurship major and co-founder of LOGENTIQ, he spent his college years searching for opportunities to connect with innovators and business leaders.

With the launch of MonarchSphere on October 29th, Luke sees the next generation of students getting the kind of early access he wished he had. “I wish something like this had been around when I was in school,” he said. “It gives students a tangible vision of what to do after graduation and provides real tools to take immediate action. In college, we learn a lot of theory, but the real work begins when you start building. This incubator gives students front-door access to start creating and experimenting.”

MonarchSphere is a first-of-its-kind artificial intelligence incubator, created in partnership with Google Public Sector and powered by Google Cloud technologies like Vertex AI and Gemini models. It’s designed to embed AI across research, teaching, operations, and workforce development—making ODU one of the few universities taking a proactive leadership role in AI innovation.

At MonarchSphere, ODU is transforming how students and faculty engage with AI. Researchers can now run complex projects in days instead of months, accelerating discoveries in health sciences, coastal resilience, and cybersecurity. Students gain hands-on access to advanced AI tools and career-ready training through Google’s AI for Education Accelerator, while AI-powered course mapping and transcript tools help them plan academic paths that align with their goals. Generative AI tools like Gemini Pro and Notebook LM streamline course development, and an AI course assistant provides real-time guidance and personalized feedback, freeing faculty to focus on teaching and creativity. Together, these innovations create a campus-wide ecosystem where learning, research, and career preparation are fully integrated, giving students and faculty tangible tools to take action in the AI-driven world.

“This partnership with Google Public Sector marks a defining moment for Old Dominion University — demonstrating how a forward-focused, future-ready institution can harness the power of cloud and AI to reimagine learning, accelerate discovery, and expand opportunity for students and communities across higher education and beyond,” said Dr. Brian O. Hemphill, ODU’s president.

From speeding up research projects in health sciences and cybersecurity to giving students hands-on AI experience through advanced courses and career pathways, MonarchSphere is designed to make AI tangible for everyone on campus. “We’ve already seen tremendous success in integrating Google Cloud technology across our institution,” said Dr. Chrysoula Malogianni, Associate Vice President of Innovation. “We’re focused on creating a truly integrated ecosystem where students, researchers, and faculty can harness the power of AI to solve real-world problems and build a more dynamic, responsive learning environment.”

Beyond the campus, MonarchSphere aims to benefit the broader Virginia community, providing municipalities and small businesses access to AI tools and expertise they might not otherwise reach. For ODU, the incubator isn’t just about technology—it’s about creating an environment where students, faculty, and local leaders can build, experiment, and lead in a rapidly changing world.

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