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Washington State University
The Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering

Strategic Plan

STRATEGIC GOALS

Education

Equip undergraduate and graduate students with the tools and knowledge to thrive in their selected career trajectories through the application of bioengineering and chemical engineering principles.

Research

Foster cutting-edge research initiatives that create a more sustainable society by addressing challenges in energy and health sectors.

Service

Engage with relevant bioengineering and chemical engineering communities by assuming leadership roles within the University, professional societies, and governmental organizations.

Governance

Promote active participation, collaboration, and shared governance by all faculty, staff, and advisory board members through the principles of due process, transparency, flexibility, and efficiency.


DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION STATEMENT


The Voiland School is committed to fostering a community where the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion are seamlessly integrated into all aspects of School activities, ensuring every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

STRATEGIC Priorities

Education

  • Implement targeted recruitment approaches and cultivate and sustain an engaging academic environment conducive to long-term student retention.
  • Determine and implement modern engineering skillsets that fill industry needs into our undergraduate programs.
  • Provide more experiential learning opportunities via undergraduate research experiences, internships, hands-on activities, and entrepreneurship projects.
  • Expand and promote networking programs between our students and alumni and industry representatives.
  • Provide comprehensive mentoring programs that include guidance from faculty, alumni, and industry professionals to support students in navigating their career trajectories.
  • Promote beneficial interactions and collaborations between the Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering programs while maintaining discipline identities.

Research

  • Lead the way in identifying critical challenges in sustainability and health and conduct innovative and creative research to address current and future societal and technological needs.
  • Recruit and train graduate students and postdoctoral fellows that are well-qualified to begin their careers as independent researchers by fostering a positive learning and working environment.
  • Hire, develop, promote, and retain faculty that sustain and expands the existing expertise areas in the School.
  • Engage stakeholders and generate resources that enable the School to respond to strategic opportunities, including but not limited to: fully funding first-year graduate students, supporting faculty to develop larger, center-type projects, endowed professorships, and new faculty startup funds.
  • Lay the groundwork for a future PhD program in Biomedical Engineering and position the School to be the natural home for the program by engaging the biomedical community across the University and increasing the number of faculty and graduate students affiliated with the School.
  • Collaborate with the University, College, and philanthropic sources to build state-of-the-art research and educational spaces for Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering.

Service

  • School members are expected to serve at an equitable level in the School, College, and University to benefit the broader community.
  • Develop and implement methods to assess, recognize, and reward contributions to the communities we serve.

Governance

  • Foster a governance culture in which all School members have their voice heard and contribute to the collective advancement of the School.
  • Leverage the expertise and resources of our Advisory Board members, industrial partners, and other critical stakeholders in support of the Voiland School.