The Vision
Goal
To create the world’s first graduate university dedicated entirely to women at the frontier of the four disciplines reshaping human civilization — and to build it here, in Oregon, where the technology heritage, the land, and the moment all align.
Vision
This is new. Independent. Built from the ground up. Not a program within an existing university. Not a side initiative of another organization. A single dedicated institution with a powerful sense of purpose.
Oregon’s very own MARS University — or whatever name it ultimately carries — would be dedicated to Machine Learning, AI, Robotics, and Space. Building upon the foundational technologies of quantum computing, advanced semiconductors, photonics, and precision sensing.
Women are already doing this work at the highest levels. This institution would be built to accelerate their future.
What It Could Include
This is an early-stage vision — the specific programs below illustrate what a fully-realized MARS University could encompass.
Graduate Research Programs
Doctoral and master’s programs in machine learning, AI, robotics, and space — designed to produce researchers at the global frontier.
A Startup Studio
Embedded entrepreneurship program — producing companies led by women, not just graduates.
Industry Partnership Labs
Research facilities co-developed with tech companies, space agencies, defense innovators, and semiconductor manufacturers.
A Global Fellows Program
Distinguished women scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs as visiting faculty, mentors, collaborators — a network of the world’s most accomplished women in technology.
A Community Campus
By day: rigorous academic environment. By evening: an open institution hosting public lectures and community forums.
Scale and Ambition
Precedent: Cornell Tech — currently ~550 graduate students, 129 faculty, 12.5-acre campus. Generates $321,000 economic impact per student per year.
Ambition: MARS University would aim higher. Starting 500–750 students growing toward 2,000. Impact compounding as alumni, startups, research partnerships multiply.
At 1,000 students: $300M+ annually. At 2,000 students: $600M+ — before construction, alumni, or startups.
Imagine Success
Cornell Tech — proposed 2011, opened 2017, 12.5 acres. Within a decade: 1,200+ leaders graduated, 100+ startups launched, NYC repositioned as 2nd most valuable startup ecosystem.
MARS University: greater ambition, sharper focus, lower costs, women tech leaders yet to be engaged.
Imagine success that compounds into economic growth that propels the Portland Metro for generations.