As Texas Tech University celebrates its centennial in 2023, it is fitting that College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources leaders honor the past while turning its focus to the future. To that end, CASNR's Strategic Planning Committee this week unveiled a new Strategic Plan that provides a pathway to 2025.

The document celebrates the long and consistent history of CASNR's service to the public, and provides a framework for faculty, staff and students as it works to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

In an introductory message, committee members note that the strength of CASNR lies in its ability to develop students with disciplinary understanding as well as personal and professional abilities to become leaders in the industries we serve. A major focus of CASNR is to develop new knowledge, products and processes, thus enhancing the sustainability and the quality of life for Texans and others while at the same time delivering new information to the public.

Included in the plan's content are sections on:
• Vision statement and mission statements, along with CASNR's values and leadership roles; as well as strategic guidance and priorities
• Teaching: Educate and Empower a Diverse Student Body
• Research: Enable Innovative Research & Creative Activities
• Service/Outreach: Transform Lives and Communities Through Strategic Outreach & Engaged Scholarship

In addition, the committee points out that the commitment of CASNR faculty to student success is evident in faculty advising, providing experiential learning opportunities, paths to internship experience, undergraduate leadership opportunities, undergraduate research, and graduate student training. These activities, for which CASNR is known, must continue at the same high level, although new approaches and techniques are needed to balance the new mission areas for which Texas Tech will also focus in the future.

The committee's comments end on a positive note. "We appreciate the input provided by stakeholders, faculty, staff and students who contributed to the development of the CASNR Strategic Plan. Recent momentum generated through the three-part mission of teaching, research and engagement within Texas Tech University, and this strategic plan is a bold roadmap for taking the college to even higher levels of excellence in all we do."

CONTACT: William Brown, Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or william.f.brown@ttu.edu

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