College of Engineering
Search Close Search
Toggle Menu
College of Engineering

Strategic Plan: 2024-2029

Mission

We will build a better world through innovative and impactful education, research, outreach, and engagement in our varied engineering disciplines as a premier global engineering college.

drone view of sunrise over campus

Vision

Applying our land-grant ideals, we will be a premier engineering college, globally recognized for our access, excellence, and value in experiential education, discipline-bridging research, professional leadership, and community-driven outreach and engagement.

Core Values

We embrace the ISU values of Principles of Community:

  • Respect
  • Purpose
  • Cooperation
  • Richness of diversity
  • Freedom from discrimination
  • Honest, respectful expression of ideas

We will practice the highest ethical and professional standards while embracing access, excellence, innovation, collaboration, and responsibility.

A Dynamic, Innovative Journey

Our pursuit of excellence is realized by strategically investing in our students, faculty, and staff to reach new heights. We are committed to creating a welcoming, respectful, and engaging working and learning environment; preparing the next generation of engineers through transformative education for global competitiveness; providing sustainable solutions to the world through groundbreaking and interdisciplinary research; and making Iowa and the world a better place through partnerships and community engagement. We will continue to inspire and think creatively on our dynamic, innovative journey by focusing on the following key pillars of excellence.

Pillar of Excellence: Education

Strategic Objectives

We will provide an effective and rigorous learning environment for our undergraduate and graduate students to develop the knowledge, abilities, and perspectives necessary to address the problems and opportunities facing society.

We will promote effective teaching practices to support student learning and success in our educational programs.

We will continuously adapt our curriculum and develop new educational programs to respond to evolving topics, technologies, and societal needs.

Key Actions

We will adopt consistent, rigorous, and both quantitative and qualitative approaches to make data-driven decisions that foster student success.

We will raise the profile of efforts focused on impactful teaching and student success and incentivize the development and implementation of effective pedagogical and professional development practices.

We will effectively leverage modern tools and technologies to enhance and expand access to high-quality educational programs for on-campus, off-campus, and online learners.

Pillar of Excellence: Research

Strategic Objectives

We will cultivate an agile and impactful research enterprise that addresses society’s needs and challenges.

We will conduct scholarly research that advances knowledge and engineering practice.

We will foster the development of engineers and researchers across educational levels.

We will build strategic collaborations spanning academia, industry government, and other stakeholders.

Key Actions

We will recruit outstanding faculty, staff, and students.

We will develop the necessary research infrastructure.

We will invest in sustainable research collaborations.

Pillar of Excellence: Access and Opportunity

Strategic Objectives

We will foster a welcoming culture for all our students, faculty and staff with access to effective programming, engagement, and accountability.

We will cultivate an environment that affirms the value of every person; treats all people ethically and with respect; and provides a supportive community for all individuals.

Key Actions

We will provide all students with excellent in-class and out-of-class learning opportunities facilitated by faculty and staff who will enhance the sense of community and innovation culture of the college.

We will invest in comprehensive efforts that support the development and practice of intercultural competencies within our education, research, outreach, and engagement programs.

Pillar of Excellence: Outreach and Talent Development

Strategic Objectives

We will expand partnerships with external partners, public communities, alumni, industry, academia, and government that significantly contribute to and enhance engineering education, research, workforce development, and economic development.

We will facilitate economic development opportunities to help Iowans create new businesses, grow existing industries, and enhance communities.

Key Actions

We will expand fellowships, internships, co-op experiences, and career opportunities for our students.

We will strategically expand our K-12 outreach and recruitment efforts to improve STEM education in Iowa and to broaden student participation in engineering.

We will engage with stakeholders to play a proactive role in economic development via intellectual property creation, technology transfer, and commercialization.