College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences Strategic Plan
Vision
To enhance our position as a preeminent research college that epitomizes excellence in all that we do:
Advancing and communicating knowledge
Developing and inspiring future leaders
Transforming communities
Demonstrating that diversity is both a measure of excellence and a means of achieving it
Objectives
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Promote faculty success
INITIATIVES PROGRESS - Increase staff: faculty ratios
- Increase faculty diversity
- Grow endowed funding for SoS initiatives
- Increase research funds for faculty
CNAS has 19 endowed chairs across 7 departments, and 4 new established funds for graduate student support in FY25:
- Mi Doctora Student Support Endowed Fund (UG/Grad)
- The McKibben Economic Geology Graduate Student Endowed Fund (Grad)
- UCR Geographer’s Scholarship for Global Change Science and Sustainability Endowed Fund (UG/Grad)
- Ta-Li Kuan Graduate Student Support Endowed Fund in MPP (Grad)
Expand and improve teaching facilities Support ongoing renovation of research facilities The shell space build out was completed in February 2024, including three growth rooms.
One existing and one new faculty member from Entomology are scheduled for move in, and the CNAS Dean's Office occupies Webber Hall.
Multi-college interdisciplinary collaboration Faculty confronting challenges of the agriculture industry -
Promote staff success
INITIATIVES PROGRESS - Frequently assess work environment (remote/in-person/hybrid)
- Promote professional development
- Increase staff diversity
Supported emerging leaders by funding their attendance cost for the UC AMP conference Provide budgeting and forecasting tools to units Invested in Caspio software that allows us to streamline the most complex processes, such as academic administrative appointment tracking, summer salary and start up commitments Invest in strategic hiring Launched a dynamic C&G Training Program designed to enhance collaboration and elevate success of our staff by identifying high-potential candidates and training them before they work directly in the departments -
Create robust financial support
INITIATIVES PROGRESS - Increase number of graduate student training grants
- Increase number of graduate fellowships
2 Awards granted for the first time:
- Campbell Grad Student Dissertation Support Endowed Fund (Grad)
- Campbell Family Endowed Fellowships in CNAS Fund (Grad)
5 new funds established for student support in FY25:
- The Al and Barbara Baumstark Endowed Award for Undergraduate Research in Chemistry or Biology (UG)
- Ning Moeller Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Biology Fund (UG)
- Summer Travel Program in CNAS Endowed Fund (UG)
- Leonard Family Foundation RISE Scholars Fund (UG)
- Mi Doctora Student Support Endowed Fund (UG/Grad)
Grow extramural funding Awarded 5 DOE GAANN grants (Entomology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics & Astronomy, Neuroscience) - 9 applied
Monthly newsletter with research development resources
Increase summer session offerings and enrollment -
Increase number of MS students
INITIATIVES PROGRESS - Increase number of students in MS programs
- Increase number of MS programs, including 4+1 BS/MS programs
- Create work-flexible MS programs (e.g., remote, PT, weekends)
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Increase number of PhD students and support success
INITIATIVES PROGRESS - Engage faculty in recruitment, admissions best practices
- Support best practices in mentoring and networking
134% increase in SIR=Yes numbers over Fall 2024 -
Improve graduation rates and time to degree
INITIATIVES PROGRESS - Build advising capacity
- Course offerings facilitate degree progression
Student to advisor ratio reduced from 497:1 in FY21-22 to 375:1 in 2024
7 additional peer advisors added with focus on intake and transition advising
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Improve student success and persistence in STEM
INITIATIVES PROGRESS - Expand high impact experiences
- Integrate inclusive practices and pedagogies
- Improve retention in CNAS majors
Partnership with RCC for transfer to research pipeline (20 sponsored students per year).
Creation of 1 week summer research experience with RCC (24 sponsored students in 2024).
Summer residential research experience for community college students (6 students through DAF).
Continued faculty partnerships with RISE program for REU's (CNAS/BCOE/SOE). -
Enhance student diversity
INITIATIVES PROGRESS - Identify and reduce barriers and equity gaps
- Grow NR enrollment
- Pipelines for transfer students
Transfer success unit involved in 13 on-campus transfer orientation and recruitment events.
Transfer outreach visits to 8 feeder community college partners.
10 transfer peer mentors working continually with transfer students, sponsoring 5-6 events per quarter with alumni and faculty speakers.