College of Agriculture Strategic Plan 2022-2027

College of Agriculture Strategic Plan 2022 - 2027

ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY College of Agriculture

Experiencing Agriculture Beyond the Classroom

Strategic Plan 2022 - 2027

The Strategic Planning Process The Arkansas State University CoA strategic plan defines the CoA’s goals for organizational change over the next five years. Prework was distributed to faculty and staff members prior to the strategic planning workshop and their input is contained within this working document.

The purpose of this document is to provide a road map for developing the CoA strategic vision to support our institutional mission.

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Ms. Malissa Meyer Instructor of Animal Science

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Dr. Edward Brown Assistant Professor of Agronomy

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Dr. Elizabeth E. Hood Lipscomb Distinguished Professor

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Dr. J. Kim Pittcock Associate Professor of Horticulture

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Dr. Tina Gray Teague Professor of Entomology and Plant Science

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Dr. Brett Savary Research Professor of Biopolymer Chemistry

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Dr. Jianfeng Xu Research Associate Professor

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Ms. Timi Saffell Budget Specialist

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Ms. Kayla Silvey Dean’s Assistant

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Ms. Megan Meese Associate Dean’s Assistant

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Faculty and Staff Contributors - Dr. Bert Greenwalt Professor of Agricultural Economics

Mr. Brent Files Equine Center Barn Manager

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Mr. Richard “Corey” Readnour Farm Director

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Dr. Gwanseon “Sun” Kim Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics

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Ms. Cassandre Burdett Adjunct Equine & Animal Science Instructor

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Dr. J. Kevin Humphrey Associate Professor of Agricultural Education

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Dr. Ahmed Hashem Assistant Professor of Agricultural Systems Technology

Administration - Dr. Mickey A. Latour Dean, Professor of Animal Science

Strategic Planning Committee - Dr. John Nowlin Chair of Strategic Planning Committee Assistant Professor of Geospatial Technology -

Dr. Mickey “Mikey” Mayland Alumni and Strategic Plan Coordinator

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Dr. Jacob Manlove Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics

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Dr. David Newman Associate Professor of Animal Science

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Dr. Jerica Rich Assistant Professor of Animal Science

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Dr. Steven Green Professor of Soil and Water Conservation

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Dr. Donald “Bud” Kennedy Associate Dean, Professor of Animal Science

ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY College of Agriculture

Experiencing Agriculture Beyond the Classroom

Strategic Plan 2022 - 2027

Message from the Dean Arkansas State University (A-State) developed from an agricultural school founded on April 1, 1909 by Act 100 of the 37th Arkansas General Assembly. Today, A-State is a comprehensive university, still anchored in agricultural roots. As we move further into the next 100 years, the College of Agriculture (CoA) at A-State is moving forward with a new mission and vision that embraces student discoveries and expands opportunities to work with partners. As a college, students will have an opportunity to discover, develop and disseminate knowledge that benefits the Delta Region and beyond. To achieve our goals, we are building on the investments made in faculty, staff, private gifts, grants, etc., to create the leading CoA in the Mid-South, characterized by collaborative research, experiential learning and entrepreneurial activities that foster sustainable production of food and fiber for the world’s growing population.

To advance opportunities for our students in the next 100 years, we will launch funding initiatives that align with our new strategic plan. In order to deliver the highest quality 21st century skills, we are moving forward with direction to strengthen our college for the next 100 years.

Dr. Mickey Latour Dean of the College of Agriculture Professor of Animal Science

ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY College of Agriculture

Experiencing Agriculture Beyond the Classroom

Strategic Plan 2022 - 2027

College of Agriculture Strategic Plan Goals and Objectives Mission To discover, develop, and disseminate knowledge in agricultural and environmental systems to serve and benefit our students, the agricultural community and society.

Vision To be the leading College of Agriculture in the Mid-South through collaborative research and experiential learning, providing exploratory and entrepreneurial educational opportunities that foster sustainable production of food and fiber for the world’s growing population.

Goal 1: Develop a Theme and Distinguishing Emphases The theme of the College of Agriculture is “Experiencing Agriculture Beyond the Classroom.”

Goal 2: Increase Enrollment Increase student enrollment and retention rates through increased recruiting and outreach efforts while reaching out to new student populations.

Goal 3: Update Programs Evaluate and adjust programs, curriculum, faculty and facilities to create unique student experiences.

Goal 4: Organize Connections to Community Increase alumni and community involvement by identifying key partners.

Goal 5: Grow Resources and Funding Provide opportunities for our partners to promote excellence and exceed our goals.

ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY College of Agriculture

Experiencing Agriculture Beyond the Classroom

Strategic Plan 2022 - 2027

Goal: Develop a Theme and Distinguishing Emphasis

1

The theme of the College of Agriculture is “Experiencing Agriculture Beyond the Classroom.”

1. Develop distinctive areas of study that distinguish the college from peer institutions.

2. Develop interdisciplinary teams across distinctive areas that expand hands-on and experimental learning opportunities.

Action Items •

By the conclusion of fiscal year 2022, the college will develop distinctive themes that align with the region, including and not limited to, water, regenerative agriculture, animal vaccine, etc.

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By the conclusion of FY 2025, interdisciplinary teams within the college and across A-State colleges will be formed and grant proposals submitted around distinguishing emphasis areas.

ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY College of Agriculture

Experiencing Agriculture Beyond the Classroom

Strategic Plan 2022 - 2027

Goal: Increase Enrollment

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Increase student enrollment and retention rates through increased recruiting and outreach efforts while reaching out to new student populations.

1. Increase recruiting of students for the college.

Action Items 2. Increase retention of new and current students.

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Maintain our current four-year retention running average of 84% (currently the highest college at A-State).

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Host a set of social activities and events for faculty and students to improve college culture by FY 2022.

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Develop an impactful marketing strategy incorporating the CoA theme, distinguishing emphases, and high-impact student experiences by FY 2023.

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Identify and attend five recruiting events annually outside of the primary recruiting areas Northeastern Arkansas (NEA)

by FY 2024.

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Visit regional high schools with high percentages of underrepresented populations for recruiting events.

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From a baseline of 343 students in fall 2021, we will increase to 377 (10%) in FY 2024 and to 401 (20%) in FY 2027.

3. Engage underrepresented populations.

ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY College of Agriculture

Experiencing Agriculture Beyond the Classroom

Strategic Plan 2022 - 2027

Goal: Update Programs

3

Evaluate and adjust programs, curriculum, faculty, and facilities to create unique student experiences.

1. Evaluate and adjust programs, curriculum, faculty and facilities to create unique student experiences.

2. Align curriculum with new goals.

3. Hire faculty to achieve new curriculums.

4. Update and expand facilities of the CoA.

Action Items •

Identify writing and/or oral communication courses which will serve as the communication-intensive course(s) for each degree by FY 2022.

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Develop and submit updated plans for each of the five CoA programs by FY 2022.

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Update First-Year Experience course to build skills for collegiate success by FY 2022.

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Assess current non-farm CoA facilities and develop a priority plan of action for structural, technology and instrumentation updates/upgrades by FY 2022.

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Establish a summative report and present a strategic plan for the farm to the university administration for each fiscal year.

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Make improvements to facilities by FY 2027.

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Develop a general education course, e.g., “Plants, Animals and Society” by FY 2023.

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Develop an online instructional module on professional and business communication to host on Blackboard by FY 2023.

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Increase by one faculty in Agricultural Systems Technology (GIS instructor)

by FY 2023.

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Increase of additional faculty member in Plant and Soil Science (agronomy)

by FY 2023.

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Develop three pay-to-play certifications (workshops) by FY 2023 (e.g., artificial insemination, certified crop adviser, drone pilot, food safety, meat cutting).

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Develop an online (completion) agriculture degree program for non-traditional students with 60+ credits by FY 2023.

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Seek out experts to teach specialty courses by FY 2023.

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Cluster hire to support CoA strategic plan by FY 2024.

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Develop high-impact entrepreneurial or experiential course options in the core curriculum by FY 2024.

ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY College of Agriculture

Experiencing Agriculture Beyond the Classroom

Strategic Plan 2022 - 2027

Goal: Organize Connections to Community

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Increase alumni and community involvement by identifying key partners.

1. Establish an advocacy board.

Action Items 2. Organize alumni.

3. Identify key partners.

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Develop an advocacy board.

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Develop alumni relations.

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Develop an internal CoA student-to-alumni tracking database and data collection system by FY 2022.

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Identify key partners for internships and other high-impact experiences by FY 2023.

ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY College of Agriculture

Experiencing Agriculture Beyond the Classroom

Strategic Plan 2022 - 2027

Goal: Grow Resources and Funding

5

Provide opportunities for our partners to promote excellence and exceed our goals.

1. Develop and implement a funding plan.

Action Items •

Implement a funding plan by FY 2023.

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Develop and execute a plan to increase funding from partnerships by 25%

by FY 2026.

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All construction and upgrades to be in place by FY 2027.

ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY College of Agriculture

Experiencing Agriculture Beyond the Classroom

Strategic Plan 2022 - 2027

Values Faculty & Staff Interrelationships

Student, School & Career Resilience

Orientation Toward People & Society

Orientation Toward Earth & Environment

Orientation Toward Business & Industry

Collaboration

Action Orientation

Global Awareness

Environmental Stewardship

Adaptability

Collegiality

Curiosity

Inclusiveness and Diversity

Resource Management

Entrepreneurship

Integrity

Mentorship

Mindfulness of Community

Resilience

Initiative

Mutual Respect

Pursuit of Excellence

Future Productivity

Innovation

Transparency

Strong Work Ethic

Student Resilience

ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY College of Agriculture

Experiencing Agriculture Beyond the Classroom

Strategic Plan 2022 - 2027