Vision: To become a pre-eminent engineering institution producing undergraduate and graduate engineers known for their technical leadership and innovative contributions to the economy, and the advancement of engineering research.

Mission Statement: To produce leadership graduates who are highly capable of contributing to the economy and their communities by developing:

• A thorough knowledge of their engineering profession
• Critical thinking and innovative problem solving skills
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• An appreciation of social values and an understanding of the social implications of technology
• Creative and flexible approaches to new technologies
• The capacity to produce efficiently engineered solutions in the global environment

The College's Strategic Plan is most appropriately described within the context of the Key Goals identified in the University's Strategic Plan as lead-ins to the Colleges Goals that follow:

University Key Goal #1

Strengthen the commitment to providing a first-class, highly relevant undergraduate educational experience in all programs.

COLLEGE GOAL 1.A

The college will offer a relevant undergraduate experience to ensure student success and produce engineers who are valued as leaders in their field.

BENCHMARKS

• Provide comprehensive academic and career advising
• Provide targeted programs to ensure student success in each major
• Increase first-year student retention in engineering
• Raise six-year graduation rate within engineering

COLLEGE GOAL 1.B

Develop graduates knowledgeable about current engineering practice and management, as well as the theoretical foundations of engineering science, and leave the University of Maine as agile, innovative professionals.

BENCHMARKS

• Integrate external boards in all aspects of undergraduate education
• Co-ops or internships will be strongly encouraged in each major
• Each undergraduate will participate in at least one interdisciplinary research or design experience
• Foster student entrepreneurship, leadership, and organization management talent by integrating business and engineering curricula

COLLEGE GOAL 1.C

The College will have a comprehensive recruitment strategy to increase interest in engineering careers and enroll more students with a major emphasis on increasing under-represented students.

BENCHMARKS

• Present informational programs at K-12 schools on engineering careers
• Offer K-12 students in engineering summer programs with scholarships for under-represented students
• Increase applications while increasing yield of first year applicants

University Key Goal #2

Enhance the research mission to ensure Maine's full contribution to and benefit from a knowledge-based, global economy, while sustaining and enhancing our natural resource-based economy.

COLLEGE GOAL 2.A

The College will develop faculty expertise in the areas of grantsmanship, project management, and entrepreneurship

BENCHMARKS

• Provide workshops on proposal development and technical writing
• Provide peer-review of all proposals prior to submission
• Increase number of graduate students to assist research faculty
• Increase the number of proposals to average two per faculty
• Target tenure-track faculty for both teaching and research support

COLLEGE GOAL 2.B

Broaden the range of funding organizations to include additional federal agencies, corporations, and foundations and develop strong relationships to increase funding from all sources

BENCHMARKS

• Institute an informational exchange program with funding sources
• Double the industrial research contracts within five years
• Support travel to funding agencies and external expertise

COLLEGE GOAL 2.C

Strengthen research programs in existing focus areas and strategically extend research into new areas

BENCHMARKS

• Continue to support the development of the legislatively mandated research areas
• Identify interdisciplinary clusters of research excellence and areas of specialization that will "achieve top echelon status"
• Integrate research with teaching and public service activities
• Develop and implement rewards for faculty and departments based on research track records

University Key Goal #3

Strengthen graduate education as a vital component of the University's land-grant mission, fundamental to research and invigorating undergraduate education.

COLLEGE GOAL 3.A

Build and implement a systematic plan for recruiting graduate students to the College.

BENCHMARKS

• Provide travel awards to bring prospective students to interview
• Expand the availability of assistantships and fellowships
• Achieve a competitive compensation package for graduate assistantships

COLLEGE GOAL 3.B

Enhance the graduate student experience with opportunities in a variety of venues, besides research projects.

BENCHMARKS

• Increase graduate student participation in national meetings
• Provide quality-learning quarters for graduate students
• Integrate graduate students all aspects in the academic enterprise
• Support graduate students in achieving all their academic objectives

COLLEGE GOAL 3.C

Build and strengthen doctoral programs through cross department collaboration, interdisciplinary studies, and a sustainable infrastructure.

BENCHMARKS

• Develop bridge funding for doctoral assistantships at the College level
• Provide research forums to promote interest in interdisciplinary projects
• Increase recognition of doctoral students contributions to College
• Encourage faculty to target Ph.D. students for research oriented projects
• Increase collaboration with research centers needing engineering expertise

University Key Goal #4

Redefine the public service mission of the University. Focus on becoming an "engaged university," anticipating and supporting the needs of the continuum of learners in Maine, from the youngest to oldest citizens, and aggressively implement distance-learning technologies as an effective and efficient means of pursuing the university's statewide mission.

COLLEGE GOAL 4.A

Help Maine businesses become more successful by providing technical assistance, educational programs, and economic development support.

BENCHMARKS

• Consistently offer distance learning modules for practicing engineers
• Offer long-term package of credit courses via distance learning technology
• Co-sponsor entrepreneurial programs with the School of Business
• Intensify technology transfer efforts to assist Maine companies

COLLEGE GOAL 4.B

Become known nationally for developing best practices in the integration of academics, research and public service in the land grant tradition.

BENCHMARKS

• Incorporate a public service component into the engineering curriculum
• Expand extra-curricular activities to benefit underserved populations
• Encourage service on non-profit boards and other forms of volunteerism
• Introduce monetary awards for innovations in the classroom, teaching laboratories, and public service

COLLEGE GOAL 4.C

Build a program of advocacy by working with alumni, business leaders, legislators, and others to validate the importance the College of Engineering to the well being of Maine.

BENCHMARKS

• Engage College Leadership Council as advocates for engineering
• Use Program Advisory Boards to engage others in program support
• Offer programs at civic organizations and local government meetings
• Host alumni gatherings to provide a continuing connection to the College
• Publish, both electronically and in magazine format, a College newsletter

University Key Goal #5 Develop the financial resource base necessary to support the University and align budget priorities with strategic actions.

COLLEGE GOAL 5.A

Develop and implement a comprehensive resource development plan for the College of Engineering that addresses the strategic priorities in the areas of teaching, research and public service.

BENCHMARKS

• Develop and implement long-range plan to create endowed chairs, facilities, and scholarships in each program
Increase participation in annual giving fund

COLLEGE GOAL 5.B

Develop and implement a comprehensive and sophisticated marketing and communications strategy that supports the College's strategic goals and resource development plan.

BENCHMARKS

• Bring the College's multiple communication vehicles a unified brand
• Build enduring relationships with new engineering alumni
• Conduct regional meetings to engage alumni feedback on their College
• Develop and implement a strong program of continuing alumni events

COLLEGE GOAL 5.C

Increase direct financial support on campus through an integrated approach to become a key contributor to campus initiatives.

BENCHMARKS

• Support faculty actively engaged in campus-wide committees and initiatives
• Provide a leadership role in initiatives relevant to engineering

University Key Goal #6

Focus and expand international programs throughout the University. Draw on our geographical position relative to Canada as a gateway to international expansion of economic, academic and cultural connections and opportunities.

COLLEGE GOAL 6

Enhance the diversity of our student body and better prepare all students in the college for work in a diverse global society.

BENCHMARKS

• Develop international learning and research opportunities for students, ranging from short-term visits to longer academic and professional experiences
• Develop collaborations with Atlantic Canada engineering schools.
• Encourage more international students to study engineering

University Key Goal #7

Make the University's infrastructure and its research and teaching facilities second to none among Maine public institutions.

COLLEGE GOAL 7

Capital improvement priorities will focus on "areas of excellence" and relevance to this strategic plan.

BENCHMARKS

• Develop a long-range facilities plan to meet the needs of the College
• Adapt teaching facilities to implement cooperative learning, team projects, and other advancements in the delivery of education
• Design and implement a plan acquire, upgrade, and maintain for major equipment

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