The College of Science and Engineering Strategic Plan is the result of the dedicated work of the CSE Strategic Planning Committee and input from students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders collected through town hall meetings, surveys, and online feedback. The Strategic Plan is intended to evolve as the College evaluates progress, meets goals, and explores new opportunities. Implementing the Strategic Plan will include continuous assessment of the strategies, analysis and reporting of metrics, and revision and realignment of the plan when warranted. Our progress will be communicated to our faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders through our CSE website, CSE annual meetings, and CSE town hall meetings.
Student Success - Including student success as a central goal in our CSE Strategic Plan fundamentally aligns with the core mission of CMU. Students are defined as the breadth of students from non-majors to majors, transfer, non-degree and life-long learners, and graduate students. We value all learners and recognize that success is multifaceted and encompasses academic growth, critical thinking, personal development, and career readiness. Moreover, a focus on student success emphasizes a commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that all students have the opportunities, resources, and support to reach their goals. Student success contributes to developing well-rounded, empowered individuals ready to make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world beyond the classroom.
Strategies
S1. Cultivate a learning environment that builds students’ abilities, talents, and skills by encouraging dedication, resilience, and creative problem-solving.
S2. Promote and strengthen existing co-curricular programs and connect students with experiential learning opportunities that build relevant transferable skills and competencies to foster leaders and civic responsibility.
S3. Inspire students to explore and pursue STEM fields and academic pathways.
Tactics
T1. Incorporate hands-on success skills for students pursuing STEM careers in the curriculum. (Strategies 1 and 2)
T2. Increase support for advising activities and further develop ongoing communications between the CSE Student Success Center and departments. (Strategy 1)
T3. Strengthen support for student activities that build community, enhance belonging, and promote professional development. (Strategies 1, 2, and 3)
T4. Amplify student-driven accomplishments. (Strategies 1 and 3)
T5. Invest in efforts to recruit and retain students in STEM fields. (Strategies 1, 2, and 3)
T6. Reduce achievement gaps by providing structured mentoring programs. (Strategies 1, 2, and 3)
T7. Foster a culture of support for CSE graduate students. (Strategy 1)
T8. Normalize metacognition to reinforce lifelong learning and science literacy. (Strategy 1)
T9. Reinforce a culture of inclusive teaching, mentoring, and professional support. (Strategy 1)
Scholarship - Scholarship encompasses academic endeavors of all types, including impactful research, innovative, evidence-based pedagogy, and supportive mentoring. CSE is well-positioned to address many of society’s most pressing problems, and its goal should be to support the creative work needed to tackle them adequately. An internal challenge is a mismatch between the aspirations toward high-quality scholarship and the limited financial resources available within our existing budget. When many needs cannot be met, the College must be transparent in its decision-making and balanced in its support for our dual mission of teaching and research. To meet our strategic challenges, CSE must harness the strengths and passions of its faculty, staff, and students and promote closer collaboration and cooperation across its departments.
Strategies
S1. Establish College priorities for scholarly endeavors and align future investments to support these scholarly priority areas.
S2. Encourage departments to recognize and value scholarship that includes subject-specific research based on faculty expertise, including scholarship of teaching and learning.
S3. Provide career-focused mentoring to early-career faculty and encourage departments to provide career development opportunities to their students and postdoctoral scholars.
Tactics
T1. Investigate pathways for strengthening existing scholarly areas with a focus on growth opportunities. (Strategy 1)
T2. Encourage review of bylaws to ensure impactful scholarship products that result from development of innovative teaching methods and subject-specific research expertise are valued during reappointment, tenure, and promotion decisions. (Strategy 2)
T3. Develop guidelines to support faculty course release for scholarly activity while meeting department teaching needs. (Strategy 2)
T4. Share information about research funding opportunities with students. (Strategy 3)
T5. Provide support for pre-tenure faculty and encourage departments to establish career-focused mentoring for postdoctoral scholars. (Strategy 3)
CSE Culture - Strengthening effective communication, sustainable operations, and the engagement of CSE students, faculty, and staff are fundamental for fostering a thriving and interconnected college environment where CSE becomes a destination of choice. Effective communication strategies enhance transparency, collaboration, and understanding among students, faculty, and staff, promoting a cohesive and informed community. Prioritizing sustainable operations establishes long-term fiscal stability and allows the College to focus on strength areas and opportunities. Community engagement ensures that CSE actively contributes to the well-being of its members, promoting mutually beneficial relationships.
Strategies
S1. Encourage positive, respectful interactions across the College, where all members are valued and empowered.
S2. Improve internal communications throughout the College.
S3. Increase support for cross-college activities that foster relationships across disciplines.
S4. Adjust resource allocations across the College to ensure long-term fiscal stability and promote shared decision-making.
Tactics
T1. Cultivate communication and collaboration within the College. (Strategies 1 and 2)
T2. Encourage inclusive participation of all members in departmental decisions and establish best practices for committees and meetings. (Strategies 1 and 2)
T3. Promote and support events that create a sense of community across the College, as well as provide opportunities for individuals to embrace CSE goals and values in their everyday activities. (Strategies 1 and 3)
T4. Support equitable and inclusive recruitment and retention practices for faculty and staff positions. (Strategy 1 and 4)
T5. Revise the College’s faculty line request process with clear guidelines for departments and a transparent decision-making process. (Strategies 1, 2, and 4)
T6. Develop and implement workload guidelines, including teaching assignments and service expectations, that departments can utilize to leverage the talents of all their members. (Strategy 4)
T7. Regularly review salary structures of faculty and staff to advocate for equity across the College. (Strategy 4)
CSE Connections - Robust connections with community partners beyond CSE are critical for research innovation, educational opportunities enhancements, mutually beneficial community collaborations, and our improved reputation as a college. By actively engaging with businesses, K-12 schools, government entities, and nonprofit organizations, CSE establishes mutually beneficial partnerships that enhance educational opportunities, research collaborations, and community development initiatives. Furthermore, external community building bridges the gap between academia and industry, ensuring academic programs align with real-world needs and trends. This goal also promotes a positive university image, as it demonstrates a commitment to social responsibility and community impact, engenders alumni pride, and attracts potential students, faculty, and donors.
Strategies
S1. Increase connections between CSE and future students.
S2. Enhance collaboration and foster engagement with alumni, industry, and community partners.
S3. Communicate and celebrate CSE successes.
S4. Partner with CMU Advancement to support our students and programs.
Tactics
T1. Grow and maintain an effective portfolio of opportunities to connect future students to CSE. (Strategies 1 and 2)
T2. Increase the number and effectiveness of CSE's external partnerships. (Strategies 1 and 2)
T3. Foster relationships with our alumni to create a network of support for our students. (Strategy 2)
T4. Communicate our stories of engagement and successes. (Strategy 3)
T5. Continue to partner with Advancement to support CSE students and programs. (Strategy 4)
