Dear CAHNR alumni and friends,

I hope this second issue of our newsletter finds you well and enjoying the fall.

I write today with exciting news from the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. As one of our alumni, you probably know that the College has changed and grown in recent years. In 2014, its new name, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, reflected the addition of the Departments of Allied Health Sciences and Kinesiology. The areas of study and focus on human health brought by these new departments augment our strong programs in animal science, plant science, environmental and economic sustainability, natural resources management, human and animal health and nutrition, food, and healthy and resilient communities. This unique combination of disciplines within CAHNR provides exceptional opportunities for collaboration and innovation to help address issues emerging in our ever-changing world.

In Fall 2019, faculty and staff embarked on an ambitious effort to identify key areas in which the College would have the greatest potential for impact and develop a strategic vision to guide us in developing and focusing our programs.

A committee of 25 faculty and staff spent several months last fall and winter collecting input from listening sessions and personal interviews with internal and external CAHNR stakeholders and representatives of peer and aspirant institutions. Discussions and interviews produced more than 10,000 points addressing strengths of the College and trends and issues affecting our society, state, industries, and communities.

Committee members completed their data analysis and synthesis of the strategic vision during the spring semester, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 lockdown.

I am proud to share with you the College’s Strategic Vision for 2020–2025. Guided by its mission statement, core values, and four interconnected strategic initiatives, we will ensure the vibrancy, relevance, and continued success of the College’s research, teaching, and extension programs as we work to address some of society’s most challenging and urgent issues.

Future issues of our newsletter will bring you highlights of programs and progress in the implementation of our Strategic Vision.

 

Sincerely,

Indrajeet Chaubey
Dean and Director