What never changes: Christ-centeredness and transformative experiences.
What drives change: Curiosity and courage.
For more than 134 years, Lipscomb University has been a Christ-centered academic institution rooted in purpose-driven education. Located in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, Lipscomb is one of the few institutions in the nation offering educational pathways from age two through the doctoral level. Students can begin their journey at Lipscomb Academy’s SEED School and continue through a full spectrum of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs—making Lipscomb a rare two-year-old to Ph.D. institution.
With an enrollment of more than 4,600 university students and 1,400 at Lipscomb Academy, the institution is deeply embedded in the Middle Tennessee community, committed to shaping lives of character, leadership and service. Its rigorous academic programs are paired with life-transforming experiences, all guided by a mission to prepare students for lives of purpose and equip them to contribute to the common good by living out their faith inaction. But in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape, Lipscomb is not only keeping pace — it’s leading the way in innovation.
“Higher education is considered one of the industries most in need of innovation,” said Todd McCullough, Lipscomb University’s first Chief Innovation Officer appointed earlier this year as part of the university’s strategic priorities. “Lipscomb — a healthy, growing university with Christ-centered core values in the hot city of Nashville — is in an ideal position to define and embody what the future of higher education can be.”
Meeting Workforce Demand with Strategic Programs
Last year alone, Lipscomb launched four groundbreaking academic programs in direct response to industry demand: a Master of Science in Sport Analytics, a first-of-its-kind Stackable Graduate Certificate program in entertainment disciplines, an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) and the city of Nashville’s first Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence. Each was developed with flexibility, industry integration and career readiness at its core.
“These programs were designed not just to meet academic goals, but to meet people where they are in their careers and help them get where they want to go,” said Lipscomb President Candice McQueen. “We’re leveraging our location in Nashville, a city that has abundant healthcare, entertainment and tech opportunities, to build programs that prepare students to lead in their fields.”
LUInnovate: Designing the Future of Higher Education
Central to Lipscomb’s forward-thinking strategy is LUInnovate, launched in February 2025 as the university’s Office of Innovation.
“LUInnovate represents another exciting step forward for Lipscomb University as we continue to cultivate a culture of creativity, entrepreneurship and forward-thinking education,” said McQueen. “With Todd’s leadership and our talented Lipscomb team, we are poised to continue to build innovative, high-quality programs that broaden access to education and drive meaningful impact.”
Under McCullough’s leadership, LUInnovate aims to reimagine higher education by fostering partnerships, developing agile learning models and building on Lipscomb’s mission. Guided by its founding principles, the office seeks to encourage and empower innovation at Lipscomb, to create educational opportunities for learners at any stage of life, and to cultivate a vibrant culture of entrepreneurship and creativity.
“Innovation doesn’t have to be overwhelming,” said McCullough. “At Lipscomb, we see it as ‘Change for the Better by Design.’ We’re using tools like Design Thinking to shift from reacting to challenges to reimagining what’s possible.”
LUInnovate builds on Lipscomb’s early adoption of competency-based education, which debuted more than a decade ago. Through its CORE Competency Assessment and Development Center, the university became an early national leader in assessing and building essential workplace competencies for adult learners.
Lipscomb’s emphasis on innovation aligns with the spirit of broader statewide initiatives, including Gov. Bill Lee’s recently announced Tennessee Innovates initiative, which is investing $59.5 billion into innovative approaches to better serve Tennesseans.
“The university shares a commitment to advancing forward-thinking solutions in education, workforce development and community engagement — hallmarks of Tennessee’s innovation agenda,” said McCullough. “By prioritizing innovation as a key pillar of its mission, Lipscomb is contributing to a statewide culture that values ingenuity, entrepreneurship and progress.”
Education Embedded in Nashville’s Ecosystem
Lipscomb’s commitment to career preparation is deeply tied to its location in Nashville. With health care as the region’s largest economic sector, the university’s School of Nursing recently launched a fast-track credential program for nurse leaders. Delivered in just six months and fully online, the program addresses a critical leadership gap in the industry.
The new Accelerated BSN program similarly meets a crucial need, offering those with bachelor’s degrees in other fields an entry into nursing in only 16 months.
“Our new Accelerated BSN program exemplifies our commitment to enabling individuals to transition into nursing more quickly while maintaining the high standards of our traditional nursing program,” said McQueen.
Empowering Creativity and Entrepreneurship
Innovation is also flourishing through Lipscomb’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. In fall 2023, the center opened a new collaborative house adjacent to campus to serve as a hub for cross-disciplinary idea development. Students from all academic areas can engage in hands-on projects with mentors, attend workshops and use tools for creative design, business planning and prototyping.
“The house serves as an incubator for students interested in entrepreneurship and innovation,” said Jeff Cohu, executive director. “But more importantly, it’s a space where students from all disciplines can come together to solve real-world problems.”
Imagine House: A Professional Production Playground
A place where Lipscomb’s innovative spirit shines is in Imagine House, an interdisciplinary production hub that is part of the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts (CEA). Launched in 2021, Imagine House is giving students real-world experience in animation, film making, music, fashion and design.
Projects like Sun Moon, SKETCH and The Dead Sea Squirrels have been produced with student involvement, earning national acclaim and industry attention. Students earn professional credits, get paid and build competitive portfolios all while earning their degrees.
“We asked ourselves, ‘Could this be a way we reimagine education, especially for students in entertainment, who want to get out there faster? ”said Mike Fernandez, CEA dean. “That’s how the idea of Imagine House started. We dreamed up a space where students could be mentored by a network of industry professionals. Over the last four years, we’ve learned a lot about what’s possible.
Scaling Industry Experience in the Classroom
Imagine House also includes the Record Label Practicum, a real-world learning opportunity where students manage everything from A&R (artist and repertoire) scouting to content creation. Nashville Americana duo River and Rail served as Imagine House’s first record label client and leading up to the group’s single release in April, students were involved in all aspects of the launch including strategic marketing, developing social media content and writing press releases. It’s an experience that mirrors the inner workings of a professional label.
“We’re not just teaching students how to produce or perform music,” said Brown Bannister, Grammy-winning producer and director emeritus of Lipscomb’s School of Music. “We’re teaching them how to turn that passion into a sustainable career.”
A Model for Modern Higher Education
Lipscomb University is increasingly recognized as a model for how higher education can—and should—adapt. With programs ranked among the best in the nation and a presence in emerging areas like AI and entertainment entrepreneurship, Lipscomb continues to serve students and the broader community with purpose.
“We’re staying rooted in our mission while expanding our reach. At Lipscomb, we believe innovation isn’t just about chasing the next big thing; it’s about building a future where purpose and progress converge,” said McCullough. “We’re not simply adapting to change, we’re driving ‘Change for the Better by Design,’ empowering our students to lead lives of purpose and impact in Nashville and beyond.”
