Several dozen faculty, staff and students attended two listening sessions designed to identify priority research areas for the college.  To provide context, Dean Glenda Gillaspy said, “The process of science has changed over the past 20 years, with great emphasis now placed on working in multi- or interdisciplinary teams to solve grand challenges. To better position CALS researchers to play in this landscape, we must be able to articulate what we are known for, what we are great at, and how we can work across boundaries to solve major problems in the world. To make strategic faculty and staff hires over the next few to several years, we must also know what expertise we are currently missing and be able to rationalize how strategic hires will propel us from good to great, or great to commanding.”

Participants met in small groups and discussed ideas related to the following questions:

• “If the college were to invest in advancing Sustainable Agriculture, how should we invest?” 
• “If the college were to invest in advancing the Life Sciences, how should we invest?” 

If you were unable to attend, and have ideas you want to share related to these topics, you can e-mail your comments to Associate Dean for Research Troy Runge.

Dean Gillaspy and the leadership team will review the feedback and provide additional information on college research priorities at an upcoming All College Update on Friday, Nov. 10 at noon via Zoom. Registration information is below.

All College Update
Nov. 10, 2023
Zoom registration