Department of Agronomy Strategic Plan Goals

#1 FILL GAPS AND DEVELOP OPPORTUNITIES WITH OUR CURRICULUM AND OUTCOMES IN OUR MAJORS

  • Identify low priority/low enrollment courses (2015) and eliminate courses, merge content into other courses, or adapt the course to include content gaps in the curriculum.
  • Create a teaching expectations and guidelines document for Agronomy faculty.
  • Evaluate the current curriculum within majors to identify potential gaps or redundancies.
  • Quantify the collective teaching resources (faculty space/facilities equipment) and quantify the teaching effort of our faculty.
  • Utilize industry to develop a list of desired soft and technical skills needed among our graduates. See how these can be integrated into curriculum.
  • Create two additional entry level core/service courses in Agronomy.
  • Create a professional certification program for Agronomy, work with professional societies (SSSA) and the CCA program to accomplish this goal. A path for all students to have taken certified soil & crop exams to become SSAs & CCAs.

#2 INCREASE ENROLLMENT

  • Increase undergraduate enrollment by 20%. Year 5 should reach enrollment goal.
  • Highlight career opportunities that exist in plants, soil, water, & climate.
  • Highlight areas where students can make an impact in plants, soil, water, & climate.
  • Develop a marketing plan to accomplish goal.
  • Incorporate the OAP Plant Science Recruitment and Outreach activities.
  • Utilize the Experience Purdue campaign.
  • Participate in summer pre-MASI & MASI programs.

#3 INCREASE THE REACH OF OUR EDUCATION PORTFOLIO

  • Develop a Global Food Security MS program.
  • Develop a Global Food Security course.
  • Develop online courses.
  • Increase student numbers with International Experience including study abroad courses led by our faculty.
  • Develop a 3-credit university core course for crops/soil/environment.
  • Assess potential for summer school course offerings.
  • Develop a professional master’s program.
  • Increase participation in Graduate Teaching Certificate Program.

#4 DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A MARKETING PLAN

  • Explore use of a professional firm.
  • Complete a ranking study to highlight our stature.
  • Develop a brand that we use in all phases of department.
  • Revise vision and mission statements.
  • Revise website.
  • Highlight our graduates - where they are and what they are doing?
  • Create yearly newsletters.
  • Create monthly bulletins.

#5 DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A PHILANTHROPY/DEVELOPMENT PLAN

  • Identify key target areas for funding:
    • Laboratory renovations & new building
    • Endowed chairs
    • Graduate research assistantships
    • Seed money
    • Undergraduate scholarships
    • Equipment fund
    • Program area sub-structure support
  • Identify funding sources.
  • Clarify role of faculty.

Strategic Plans