Podcast by Technology Association of Oregon
29 October 2026
In this episode of Techlandia, we sit down with Jameson Watts, Dean of Willamette University’s School of Computing and Information Sciences, to explore how higher education is evolving to meet the rapidly changing needs of the technology industry.
From his early career working with startups in Colorado to earning a Ph.D. in marketing strategy and computational linguistics, Watts brings a unique combination of industry experience and academic expertise to his leadership at Willamette.
Watts shares his vision for an education that goes beyond textbooks and classrooms. His approach emphasizes real-world experience, industry-connected faculty, internships, apprenticeships, and hands-on projects that prepare students to make an immediate impact in the workforce.
A central theme of the conversation is the importance of what Watts calls “translational competency”—the ability to bridge the gap between technical expertise and practical business application. Whether communicating complex engineering concepts to executives or helping teams implement emerging technologies, tomorrow’s leaders must be able to work across disciplines.
The discussion also explores Willamette’s response to Oregon’s growing technology and manufacturing sectors, including the launch of an industrial engineering program that brings together business, engineering, data, and artificial intelligence.
Watts highlights the importance of collaboration with the Technology Association of Oregon (TAO), the NSF FAST initiative, and regional industry partners to strengthen Oregon’s talent pipeline. He also discusses the opportunities emerging from Willamette’s planned partnership with Pacific University, particularly in biomedical engineering, healthcare analytics, and advanced manufacturing.
From AI and workforce development to science fiction and the future of higher education, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how universities and industry can work together to prepare the next generation of innovators.
Tune in to Techlandia for a conversation about building the workforce of tomorrow, connecting education with industry, and helping Oregon's technology ecosystem thrive.
Techlandia — Exploring the people, ideas, and innovations shaping Oregon's technology future.
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