Strategic Plan

The College of Engineering is currently developing our 2026–30 strategic plan. As we shape our vision for engineering excellence, we will be seeking feedback on the college’s proposed goals. These goals align with the University’s broader institutional priorities which were developed with input from the Penn State community. 

Throughout the planning process, we are engaging faculty, staff, students, and alumni through a variety of conversations and outreach:

• Differentiation workshops
• Group SOAR analysis
• Working groups focused on individual goals
• Community surveys
• Town halls

We encourage everyone to share their reflections on the previous plan and aspirations for the new plan as we work toward the future success of the Penn State College of Engineering.

Please take a moment to watch the Strategic Planning Kickoff video message. 

Outcomes from the Previous Strategic Plan

Our previous five-year plan focused on advancing student success for all and creating a unified faculty atmosphere through improvements to promotion criteria and promotion and tenure.

Through the faculty promotion work on “Assessment of Excellence” and “Evidence of Excellence through Impact,” we established a collective vision of impact as “evidenced by the benefit to the students, colleagues, the institution, the profession, the Commonwealth, the nation, humanity, and society generally.”

A staff-informed and designed professional development badging program was launched through ILEAD, serving more than 1,300 voluntary registrants in the College of Engineering and beyond. We also set goals for improved collaborations across the University and innovations within education. 

These are examples of collaborative college-wide efforts where we captured important aspects of our aspirational culture. I’m proud to say that we have made significant progress in all these areas and more, and we are well-positioned to build on these successes over the next five years. 

We are currently identifying strategic planning champions who are willing to dedicate time and energy to advancing the plan. If you want to help envision and expand excellence in the 2026-30 strategic plan, you can express interest here. 

Draft Mission Statement

The Penn State College of Engineering shapes the future through innovative education, breakthrough research, and transformative partnerships that create real-world impact across Pennsylvania and beyond.

Rooted in Penn State’s land-grant mission and strategic vision, we translate research into societal benefit by partnering with industry, government, and non-profits to drive technology commercialization, job creation, and economic growth.

Our faculty lead interdisciplinary research that addresses urgent global challenges, while our students pursue flexible, future-focused educational pathways that integrate experiential, online, and modular learning. With a strong emphasis on curiosity, community, innovation, and entrepreneurship, we prepare graduates to thrive and create value in a rapidly evolving world.

We believe the future of engineering lies in strategic differentiation: delivering an adaptable, world-class education; leading in translational research; and expanding inclusive access to opportunity.

By fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and belonging, we are developing the next generation of engineers— leaders, entrepreneurs, and change agents who will shape the technologies, industries, and societies of tomorrow.

Draft Vision Statement

The Penn State College of Engineering will be a global leader in engineering innovation, education, and societal impact—recognized for creating transformative solutions, pathways to opportunity, and a diverse community of learners, researchers, and change-makers.

Rooted in our land-grant mission and guided by the cornerstones of GRACE—Growing our capacity, Refining our operations, Accelerating impact, Cultivating community among stakeholder groups, and Expanding excellence—we envision a future where:

• Translational research drives real-world solutions to the most pressing global challenges through strategic partnerships with industry, government, and communities
• Innovation and entrepreneurship are embedded in our culture—fueling economic development, value creation, and the commercialization of breakthrough technologies
• Our graduates emerge not only as skilled engineers but as leaders, entrepreneurs, and catalysts for change—shaping the technologies, industries, and societies of tomorrow

Together, we will build a more impactful, connected, welcoming, and resilient future across Pennsylvania and around the world.