Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has named Victor Padilla-Taylor as its inaugural Noblitt Entrepreneurship Director and Professor of Practice in Engineering Management. He joined the college on May 1.

Padilla-Taylor brings a unique blend of industry expertise, global economic development experience, and higher education leadership to this role. A chemical engineer by training with master’s degrees in business administration and leadership, he has built and supported entrepreneurship ecosystems that empower students to turn ideas into real-world impact.

Most recently, Padilla-Taylor served as a founding director of the Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale (Tsai CITY), where he helped grow a program that now supports more than 200 student ventures annually. His work connected a dynamic network of mentors, industry partners, and alumni to advance student innovation.

“At a time when technical execution is easier to automate, the true differentiator for new ventures is the founder who understands the problem more deeply than anyone else in the room,” Padilla-Taylor said. “I am excited to join Rose-Hulman precisely because its students are technically rigorous, wired to solve hard problems, and hungry to become that outlier. My goal is to design an entrepreneurship program and curriculum built on real tools, expert support, and honest feedback. With this infrastructure, together we will provide the next generation of entrepreneurs the ultimate advantage: the ability to find their footing when the ground is constantly shifting.”

Throughout his career, Padilla-Taylor has taught and mentored innovators at all stages, from introducing students to core entrepreneurial frameworks to advising deep-tech founders as they scale their ventures. He also brings significant experience in partnership development and strategic fundraising, having secured major industry support and activated alumni networks to drive institutional growth.

Padilla-Taylor’s appointment marks an important step in preparing students to lead, innovate, and create solutions that address complex challenges across industries and communities. In his new role, Padilla-Taylor will lead efforts to expand and strengthen Rose-Hulman’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. He will collaborate closely with Rose-Hulman Ventures, faculty, students, alumni, and industry partners to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship—building on the institute’s momentum as it advances initiatives like Innovation Grove. 

“Victor brings an exceptional combination of entrepreneurial experience, strategic vision, and a deep commitment to student success,” said Rose-Hulman President Robert A. Coons. “His leadership will play a pivotal role in strengthening Rose-Hulman’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and expanding opportunities for our students to turn innovative ideas into meaningful impact. As we continue to build momentum toward Innovation Grove, Victor’s expertise will help position our campus as a hub for creativity, collaboration, and real-world problem solving.”

“Victor has been a delight to work with from the get-go,” said Rose-Hulman Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Ellen Goldey. “He is keen to get started, and his enthusiasm is infectious."