We have been working diligently to create a strategic plan that will lead us into the next decade. The new plan, Growing Our Future Together, is the result of an employee-led strategic planning process. We collected input from our faculty, staff and students to determine our values and priorities. We solicited feedback from our external stakeholders related to their needs and identified ways in which we can work together to advance agriculture and life sciences.

In consultation with the Provost and in the spirit through which the plan was developed, we are excited to proceed with finalizing the college strategic plan in concert with the ongoing dean search. The next step in our process will be to share the draft and develop the implementation plan. Our external stakeholders will receive a copy of the plan and have the opportunity to share their feedback. Meanwhile, our college will begin to discuss how we will implement the plan.

Every department and unit in the college will play a critical role in the success of Growing Our Future Together. In the implementation plan we will identify specific actions and measurable outcomes that the college, departments and units can take to move us forward. We will start this process by reviewing current departmental and unit plans in an effort to map out existing goals and strategies that support the college’s new strategic plan.

Our college has invested a lot of time and energy into creating this strategic plan. We are confident that the 10 strategic priorities, 17 goals, and 63 key initiatives will guide CALS to achieve its highest potential. Yes, we know 63 key initiatives are a lot! But keep in mind – we are a big college with an even bigger impact on our state and beyond.