Strategic Plan 2012-2018

We address current and emerging issues in agricultural and life sciences by building on the land-grant commitment of developing leaders and creating and sharing knowledge through diverse, hands-on applications.

Dear colleagues,

I am pleased to share the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ 2012-2018 Strategic Plan.

This plan was developed over the course of many months with input and feedback from faculty, staff, students, administrators, and our external stakeholders. I want to acknowledge the committees and working groups (see Appendix II) who helped create and shape this visionary plan. Many thanks to members of the steering committee chaired by Dr. Jody Jellison, the mission development group, and the three working groups of faculty and staff chaired by Drs. Joyce Latimer, Jay Williams, and George Davis. The college administrative leadership team (department heads, directors of the agricultural research and extension centers, unit leaders, and associate deans) and our external CALS Deans’ Advisory Council also had significant involvement.

In addition to new mission and vision statements, the plan includes a list of values, emphasis areas, and four major goals with a number of strategies and high-priority action items. We also included a section in Appendix I that illustrates how our college plan is aligned and linked with the vision, goals, and objectives of the university’s long-range strategic roadmap, A Plan for a New Horizon. Some of our targets and metrics will be established during the implementation of the plan, while other measures will be tracked over time.

We value and appreciate everyone who contributed to this important process, and we look forward to working with you as we chart the new direction of the college over the next six years.

Sincerely,
Alan Grant
Dean