Strategic Vision

FY 2023-28

Updated: 5/2024


Research and Innovation

Creating and communicating knowledge to address real-world problems. 

We develop innovations in technical management education to positively impact our global community of students, educators, and business partners.

Vision

CU鈥檚 Engineering Management Program (EMP) is a world-class program that expands the knowledgebase of engineering and technology management. We attract and retain industry experts and practitioners in engineering management and leadership for future generations; we create discovery experiences for faculty and students to collaborate with industry, government, and national labs; and we develop passionate educators with opportunities for advancement.

In the next five years, we will:

  • Be an innovator in management science through faculty engagement in research, corporate partnerships, collaborative projects across the college and campus, and continuous professional development that enhances course relevance to industry. 
  • Be an organization that fosters passionate educators by cultivating a culture of innovation, where they are encouraged to explore novel ideas and contribute to the evolving landscape of engineering management.

To enable this vision, we will:

  • Develop an evaluation policy for instructional faculty, where research and innovation are recognized, and discoveries are rewarded. 
  • Identify funding opportunities to support or seed faculty who may be interested in research and innovation themes to define future Engineering Management domains. 
  • Perform a landscape analysis of the unique requirements of our region (national labs, robotics, life sciences, etc.) to identify unmet management research and/or educational needs. 
  • Develop a curriculum at the graduate and undergraduate level that supports entrepreneurship and commercialization of intellectual property by CEAS faculty and students.

Research

Expand access and opportunity. 

We develop tomorrow鈥檚 global citizens through education that treats each student as a unique individual with innate skills, thereby creating the change agents needed to help solve the world鈥檚 major challenges. 

Vision

CU EMP is the premier destination in Colorado and the surrounding Rocky Mountain region for students and technical professionals in engineering and applied sciences. We create innovative programs that attract outstanding students from outside the region and around the world to meet the needs of tomorrow鈥檚 leaders.

In the next five years, we will:

  • Be recognized as offering a challenging curriculum that anticipates the needs of industry, thereby providing students state-of-the-art knowledge and skills necessary for their success as future business leaders. 
  • Be the leader in innovative pedagogies and individual experiences in technical management education that enhance the learning process, wherever students may be physically located. 
  • Be the engineering management program of choice within the Rocky Mountain region, meeting the educational needs of engineering and STEM students, with a unique focus on under-represented students within our area. 
  • Be the provider of opportunities for students and educators to enhance their awareness, understanding and appreciation for other cultures.

To enable this vision, we will:

  • Develop business-relevant course content and specialized certificates tailored to the industries in our region, guided by semi-annual meetings with EMP鈥檚 Industry Advisory Council, and through collaborative partnerships with local companies and institutions. 
  • Establish a study abroad program with a partner university for undergraduate engineering and STEM students to obtain their minor in Engineering Management or Engineering Entrepreneurship. 
  • Create teaching modalities that optimize the learning experience for our in-class, remote (synchronous), distance (asynchronous) and global MOOC students. 
  • Increase global reach through growth of the Master鈥檚 of Engineering in Engineering Management on Coursera program. 
  • Develop a curriculum that incorporates triple bottom line business practices and circular product management.

Inclusion

Build community through engagement. 

The Engineering Management Program envisions an inclusive and thriving community where students, faculty, and staff collaboratively shape an environment that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our vision is of a program that celebrates the unique contributions of each individual, fostering innovation and excellence across all facets of our community. 

Vision

EMP promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion by uniting students, faculty, and staff in shared commitment to fostering an inclusive learning and working environment that values and celebrates the diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and contributions of every member. 

In the next five years, we will:

  • Be an organization that nurtures and champions inclusive teaching practices, empowering faculty to create learning experiences that resonate with students from diverse backgrounds and learning styles. 
  • Be an advocate for employee well-being, championing initiatives that address not only work-life balance but also holistic wellness. 
  • Be a supportive network, fostering connections among faculty and staff, creating spaces for collaboration and mutual support, ultimately enhancing the sense of community within the EMP. 
  • Be an organization that sets the standards for inclusive work environments, where faculty and staff feel a sense of belonging, irrespective of their background. 
  • Be a place of continuous learning and growth, providing faculty and staff with regular and relevant professional development opportunities that focus on cultural competence, unconscious bias, and inclusive teaching and leadership practices.

To enable this vision, we will:

  • Regularly assess the demographic composition of the EMP student body, faculty, and staff. 
  • Set measurable diversity and inclusion goals for each segment of the EMP community, focusing on recruitment, retention, and advancement. 
  • Conduct regular surveys and focus groups to gather feedback on the inclusivity and effectiveness of the program for all stakeholders. 
  • Integrate diversity and inclusion principles into the EMP curriculum, ensuring that students are exposed to a wide range of perspectives. 
  • Establish targeted recruitment efforts for students, faculty, and staff from underrepresented groups. 
  • Develop retention strategies to ensure a diverse and engaged faculty and staff community. 
  • Provide faculty and staff with ongoing professional development opportunities focused on cultural competence, unconscious bias, and inclusive teaching and leadership practices. 
  • Develop initiatives to address work-life balance and promote a healthy and inclusive workplace for faculty and staff.