Accelerate the Drive: CAFNR Strategic Plan

Goal 1: Sustain Overall Undergraduate Enrollment and Grow Enrollments in Targeted Programs

Performance Indicators

• Enroll 750 new undergraduate students annually. This includes first-time college and transfer students. (Previous four-year average: 730)
• Increase enrollment in targeted degree programs by 7.5 percent each year.

Goal 2: Enhance Graduate Student Experience

Performance Indicator

• Enroll 450 graduate students annually. (Previous four-year average: 429)
• Expect every graduate student to have a teaching experience as a part of their educational program.
• Pursue and grow graduate student funding opportunities through federal and industry-sponsored fellowship programs.

Goal 3: Strengthen First-Year Retention, Enhance Year-To-Year Persistence and Accelerate Time to Degree Completion

Performance Indicators

• Increase first-year undergraduate retention to 95 percent. (Previous four-year average: 91.1 percent)
• Elevate four-year graduation rate to 68 percent. (Previous four-year average: 64.1 percent)
• Elevate six-year graduation rate to 82 percent. (Previous four-year average: 76.6 percent)

Goal 4: Enhance High-Impact Signature Experience Opportunities

Performance Indicators

• Advance the number of graduates completing two or more transcribed Signature Experiences in R.I.S.E. (Research, International, Service learning, Experiential learning). (Previous four-year average: 81 percent of graduates completed an average of 1.9 transcribed signature experiences)
• Support undergraduates and advisors to average at least three RFPGs (Research Fellowship Programs) per year (Previous four-year average: 1.75)

Goal 5: Elevate Career Outcomes

Performance Indicators

• Ensure 98 percent of graduates achieve successful career outcomes. (Previous four-year average: 96.1 percent)

Goal 1: Drive Innovative and Interdisciplinary Basic and Applied Research to Address Major Challenges Facing Agriculture, Food and Natural Resource Systems Locally, Nationally and Globally

Performance Indicators

• Increase large proposal submissions (over $1 million), including global or multi-country proposals, by 20 percent. (Previous four-year average: 132)
• Increase research expenditures per FTE by 30 percent. (Previous four-year average: $350K/FTE)
• Expand peer-reviewed publications by 20 percent. (Previous four-year average: 810)
• Boost peer-reviewed citations by 20 percent. (Previous four-year average: 81,666)

Goal 2. Strengthen Pathways for Translational Research and Economic Development

Performance Indicators

• Increase the share of industry and philanthropic funding to 8 percent of the total research portfolio, including international or multinational partners. (Previous four-year average: 5 percent)
• Train 10 faculty and 5 students annually for commercialization success. (Previous four-year average: 0)
• Boost Intellectual Property outputs by 20 percent. This includes disclosures, patents and technology licenses and options. (Previous four-year average: 80)

Goal 3. Cultivate a Vibrant and Supportive Research Environment

Performance Indicators

• Increase research faculty FTE by 5 percent. (Previous four-year average: 98)
• Renovate at least one to three lab spaces annually. (Previous four-year average: 1)
• Increase faculty awards and recognitions by 10 percent. (Previous four-year average: 126)
• Double research impact stories released annually, highlighting national and international relevance. (Previous four-year average: 20)

Goal 1. Expand the Reach and Impact of MU Extension’s Ag & Environment Mission

Performance Indicators

• Increase the median faculty Resource Index by 15 percent. (Previous four-year average: 1.78)
• Increase the median faculty Reach Index by 25 percent. (Previous four-year average: 5.3)
• Ensure 75 percent of Extension faculty and specialists will score above the previous four-year median in both Resource and Reach. (Previous four-year average: 32 percent)
  

Goal 2. Modernize Extension Delivery and Accelerate Technology Adoption

Performance Indicators

• Increase participation in A&E Extension digital and hybrid offerings by 30 percent. (Previous four-year average: 1,800)
• Increase annual media reach (as reflected in Reach Index media components) by 25 percent. (Previous four-year average: 1.3 billion)
• Develop and deploy five scalable digital education products by 2030 (micro-courses, short courses, decision guides, decision tools), aligned with CAFNR Programs of Distinction and Grand Ideas.

Goal 3. Enhance County, Regional and Statewide Partnerships

Performance Indicators

• Conduct one structured listening session per region annually (minimum of six statewide), using REEC and EEC advisory boards and additional stakeholder groups as appropriate to refine priorities and strengthen responsiveness. 
• Host at least three statewide youth or career-focused events annually at REECs and/or EECs. 

Goal 4. Strengthen Missouri’s Agricultural Resilience and Responsiveness

Performance Indicators

• Identify and communicate a set of priority agricultural issues affecting Missouri (by 2027). These priorities will be informed by Extension expertise, partner agencies and stakeholder input, and review and update those priorities annually.
• Document measurable progress at least biannually in producer or community adoption of practices that improve agricultural resilience, profitability and stewardship in priority program areas.
• Each REEC and EEC will host at least one annual living classroom demonstration showcasing new or proven best management practices developed by CAFNR faculty, with evidence of increased awareness, confidence or adoption among participants.