Iowa State University

Iowa State University

Strategic Plan 2005-2010

PDF version

PDF version of the second draft.

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Send comments on this draft by Oct. 29 to strategicplan@ iastate.edu.

Early draft

See previous plan draft, released Aug. 30.
Strategic Plan header

Second Draft as of -- 10/11/04

Mission

Create, share, and apply knowledge to make Iowa and the world a better place.

  • Create knowledge through excellent scholarship in teaching, research, and creative endeavors.
  • Share knowledge through outstanding, learning-centered undergraduate, graduate, professional, and outreach programs.
  • Apply knowledge to improve the quality of life for current and future generations.
  • In carrying out its mission, Iowa State will increase and support diversity in the university community. Diversity enlivens the exchange of ideas, broadens scholarship, and prepares students for lifelong, productive participation in society.

Culture

We accomplish our mission:

  • through collaboration and cooperation,
  • with honesty and integrity, and
  • with sensitivity and responsiveness to the needs of our state, nation, and the world.

Core Values

We value:

  • the land-grant ideal,
  • a diversity of ideas, peoples, and cultures,
  • intellectual freedom, and
  • excellence in all we do.

The Land-Grant Ideal

Iowa State University was founded on the principles that higher education should be accessible to all and that the university should teach liberal and practical subjects. These principles are integral to the land-grant university, a special class of university created by the Morrill Act, passed by Congress in 1862. Iowa was the first state to accept the law's provisions. Iowa State University subsequently pioneered the idea of Extension - extending the university's knowledge to people throughout the state.

 

Vision

Iowa State University will be the best at advancing the land-grant ideal and putting science and technology to work.

Students will become well-rounded, global citizens who are technologically proficient, culturally informed, and ready to lead. Faculty and staff will share a passion for creating, sharing, and applying knowledge to improve lives. Collaborations with partners both inside and outside the university community will flourish. The spirit of Iowa State University will be evident in the energy of its people and the creativity of their ideas.


Priorities for 2005-2010

Iowa State is an internationally recognized, comprehensive university with a wide range of dynamic and diverse programs and initiatives. The university commits to continuously evaluating, improving, and evolving these programs as well as exploring and innovating new areas of inquiry and application.

Five priority areas and accompanying goals for 2005-2010 have been identified to reinforce existing strengths and pursue our vision.

Priority

Strengthen undergraduate, graduate, and professional education to enhance student success at and beyond Iowa State University.

Goals

  • Improve the rigor and challenge of all academic programs.
  • Improve students' critical thinking and communication skills.
  • Increase students' awareness of global, cultural, and diversity issues.
  • Create an environment that welcomes students to explore a variety of specializations and career paths.
  • Increase interdisciplinary and experiential learning opportunities, such as learning communities, service learning, internships, research experiences, and international exchanges.
  • Enhance programs for high-ability students.
  • Partner with K-12 schools and community colleges to facilitate student success at Iowa State University.
  • Enhance services to enable students to find careers in Iowa and elsewhere.
  • Develop, recognize, and reward excellent teaching.

Measures

  • Enrollment of Iowa high school and community college graduates
  • Undergraduate student persistence, graduation rates, and time to graduation by gender, race/ethnicity, first generation college students, and transfer students.
  • Graduate student persistence, graduation rates and time to graduation.
  • FTE students by gender and race/ethnicity.
  • National Student Survey of Student Engagement which includes multiple measures related to academic challenge, active and collaborative learning, student faculty interaction, enriching educational experiences (diversity, experiential learning, foreign language, study abroad, learning communities, etc.), and the campus environment.
  • Participation in special learning opportunities: honors, learning communities, study abroad, internships, research experiences, etc.
  • Post-graduation status of undergraduate and graduate students including employment, GRE scores and admission to graduate school, location, reflection on ISU experience.

Priority

Increase the number of graduate, professional, and research programs that are among the best - - especially in areas that build on university strengths and address critical needs and opportunities.

Goals

  • Recruit and retain outstanding faculty who are or will be leaders in their fields.
  • Increase the number and elevate the overall quality of graduate students.
  • Leverage strengths in science and technology to enhance research and scholarly excellence with emphasis on interdisciplinary initiatives involving biological, materials, and information sciences.
  • Enhance areas of excellence in the arts, humanities, and social sciences that build on and complement the university's unique strengths.
  • Improve facilities and support services for research.
  • Enhance the visibility of outstanding faculty members and staff, research accomplishments, and graduate and research programs.

Measures

  • Number of books, refereed articles, book chapters, and reviews published.
  • Number of refereed performances, exhibitions, commissions, competitions.
  • Graduate student enrollment and average GRE score of graduate students admitted.
  • External sponsored funding: total, amount per tenured/tenure eligible faculty member, percentage of tenured/tenure eligible faculty receiving external sponsored funding, and amount for collaborative projects.
  • Average faculty salary by rank.
  • Net assignable square footage of research space per FTE faculty.
  • Number of citations of ISU faculty.
  • National Research Council rankings.
  • Survey of faculty and staff on satisfaction with support of and space for research.
  • Association of Research Libraries ranking and statistics.

Priority

Translate discoveries into viable technologies, products, and services to strengthen Iowa's economy.

Goals

  • Expand the use of intellectual property developed at Iowa State University.
  • Strengthen educational and outreach programs aimed at Iowa's economic, workforce, and technology development.
  • Foster an environment in which faculty, staff, and students can readily engage in transfer of technology and entrepreneurial activities.

Measures

  • Number of new businesses ventures initiated.
  • Participation in educational and outreach programs aimed at Iowa's economic, workforce, and technology development.
  • Number of licenses and options executed.
  • Number of invention disclosures received per $10 million of research.
  • Number of companies and employees currently in or who started in the ISU research park.
  • Status of and participation in courses and programs that foster technology transfer and entrepreneurship.

Priority

Partner with Iowans to enhance the state's appeal as a place to live, learn, work, and play.

Goals

  • Strengthen our connections and communications with Iowans to better identify and address important issues.
  • Enhance the vitality of Iowa's communities and well-being of its people.
  • Promote the wise use of Iowa's resources and build a sustainable future.
  • Expand learning opportunities for Iowans of all ages.

Measures

  • Number of credit and non-credit course registrations in distance and continuing education by age.
  • Number of contacts made by Cooperative Extension Services.
  • Number of other contacts made through conferences, web sites, or one-on-one visits.
  • Monitor Iowans on their experience with and perception of Iowa State University and its responsiveness to the needs of people, communities, and the state's environment.

Priority

Ensure that the university is a great place to learn and work.

Goals

  • Expand the diversity of people, ideas, and cultures, and nurture an environment in which diversity can thrive.
  • Foster an environment in which all members of the academic community can contribute their fullest while pursuing satisfying personal lives.
  • Provide a rich array of out-of-class opportunities to learn, lead, and have fun.
  • Promote a "green" university by conserving resources and enhancing environmental quality.
  • Maintain the attractiveness of campus and improve the quality of its facilities.

Measures

  • National Student Survey of Student Engagement which includes multiple measures student faculty interaction, enriching educational experiences (diversity, experiential learning, foreign language, study abroad, learning communities, etc.), and the campus environment.
  • Campus climate survey.
  • FTE faculty and staff by gender and race/ethnicity.
  • Faculty and staff survey on the university environment.
  • Report on efforts to conserve resources and enhance environmental quality.
 

Iowa State University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research Extensive University, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The university is a member of the Association of American Universities and the National Association of State Universities & Land-Grant Colleges.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Vietnam Era Veteran.