Aggie Square Receives AURP’s 2025 “Emerging Community of Innovation” Award

Photo Credit: Wayne Tilcock

Source: Press Release | November 2025

Recognition highlights community impact, sustainability leadership, and regional entrepreneurship support

Aggie Square, the innovation district developed through a partnership between UC Davis, Wexford Science & Technology, and the City of Sacramento, has been honored with the Association of University Research Parks’ (AURP) 2025 “Emerging Community of Innovation” Award. The award, presented at AURP’s 2025 International Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, recognizes institutions transforming research, discovery and community innovation across North America.

Accepting the award on behalf of Aggie Square were Mary Mumper, of UC Davis’ Innovation and Economic Development Office, Claire Drummond, Vice President of Development at Wexford Science & Technology and Vladimir Pajkic, Partner at ZGF Architects.

Aggie Square was selected for this honor in recognition of the positive impact the innovation district has had on surrounding communities through the implementation of the Community Benefits Partnership Agreement, its commitment to sustainability as an all-electric facility, as well as efforts to help strengthen the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the greater Sacramento region.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from AURP,” said Claire Drummond. “Aggie Square is the result of a deep and ongoing collaboration among many partners who share a vision for inclusive innovation, including UC Davis, the City of Sacramento, Whiting-Turner, and ZGF Architects, among many others. This award reflects the hard work and dedication of everyone who has contributed to bringing Aggie Square to life.”

“Aggie Square was designed from the very beginning to be a beacon of collaboration and innovation, where partners from academia, industry and the community come together to create meaningful impact,” said George Baxter, Chief Innovation and Economic Development Officer for UC Davis. “This award affirms that vision. It demonstrates that when we build intentionally and collaboratively, we can expand opportunity, accelerate research, and strengthen the social and economic fabric of our region.”

“Rooted in Sacramento’s historic character, the design for Aggie Square takes inspiration from the materiality of the city’s red brick architecture, scale of its tree-lined streets, and the unique character of its porch culture to create a welcoming, walkable district,” said Vladimir Pajkic, Partner at ZGF Architects. “We’re grateful to our clients at Wexford Science & Technology and UC Davis for the vision and commitment that made such an innovative ecosystem possible.”