Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan

Mission:

To advance quality of life through teaching, research, and extension in biological and agricultural engineering (BAE).

Vision: 

To be a premier BAE department with programs known for excellence:

  • In research, teaching, and extension, aiming to solve challenging problems in agriculture, biotechnology, coast, and energy. 
  • In preparing students to be leaders in their careers. 

Values:

  • COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP: With university and non-university (industry, community, government, non-profit) entities. 
  • EDUCATION: High-quality, diverse, and supportive instruction and engineering education, leading to successful careers for graduates in a dynamic world.
  • RESEARCH and EXTENSION: Cutting-edge research, extension, and engagement to benefit citizens of Louisiana, the nation, and the world.
  • PEOPLE and COMMUNITY: Constituents (students, faculty, staff, alumni) who are innovative, curious, engaged, and inclusive, and who support their communities personally and professionally. 

Goals:

  1. Conduct interdisciplinary research and design in the fields of agriculture, biotechnology, coast, and energy, aiming to positively impact the bio-based economy and human wellness as well as coastal/community sustainability and resilience.
    1. Maximize research and design capabilities of the department and collaborate with internal and external partners to maximize societal impact.
    2. Translate research/design from laboratory and theory to application (through extension, community engagement, the LSU and LSU AgCenter technology transfer offices, etc.).
    3. Modernize facilities, equipment, and infrastructure to ensure that they are commensurate with our high-quality, cutting-edge research, extension, and teaching activities. 
  2. Provide high-quality instruction and student support in the BS, MS, and PhD programs.
    1. Maintain accreditation for undergraduate program and all SACSCOC accreditation requirements for BAE.
    2. Increase the quality and diversity of course offerings to further expand our MS and PhD programs.
    3. Maintain balance in teaching loads with regard to enrollment, with a target student-to-faculty ratio of 24:1 or less.
    4. Enrich the student experience with high-impact practices.
      1. Encourage students to enroll in enhanced curricular programs (Distinguished Communicator, Engaged Citizen, Distinguished Undergraduate Research, Honors College) and support them as faculty advisors.
      2. Build supportive connections of current students with industry or academic mentors to help prepare them for internships/jobs or further education after graduation.
  3. Seek external support for departmental activities.
      1. Increase the number and amount of BAE scholarships, with a target scholarship endowment of $1M.
      2. Seek donor support of BAE activities in conjunction with College and AgCenter development staff.
      3. Engage the Advisory Council to build and support a sustainable donor network, and to ensure that our course offerings and programs match industrial needs.