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Strategic plan

Strategic Plan

We are committed to a culture that adheres to the highest ethical standards and seeks excellence in education, research, and entrepreneurship.

Our mission

As a department in the College of Engineering, we share the mission of the College: "Anchored by our land-grant identity and the university’s motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), the College of Engineering educates and inspires students to be critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders. We create new knowledge, technologies, and sustainable solutions that address complex social and technical challenges."

Our vision

Driven to serve, our faculty, students, and stakeholders responsibly address globally significant socio-technical issues. We pursue complex research challenges, reimagine computing to reflect its ubiquitous impact on society, and work across disciplines to help individuals and communities thrive. To enable this vision, we cultivate a supportive and engaged community that reflects the world we serve.

(People first — recruitment, retention, inclusion, alumni connections)

  • Goal 1.1: Recruit top students, staff, and faculty.
  • Goal 1.2: Nurture and retain our community of students, staff, and faculty.
  • Goal 1.3: Foster an inclusive and supportive environment for work, study, and growth.
  • Goal 1.4: Deepen relationships with our alumni.

(Structural fundamentals — curriculum, people, partnerships, resources, technology)

  • Goal 2.1: Foster an innovative curriculum that equips students to thrive in a rapidly evolving computing landscape.
  • Goal 2.2: Strengthen support structures for the success and professional growth of our students, staff, and faculty.
  • Goal 2.3: Build deep, mutually beneficial collaborations with Virginia Tech research centers and institutes, industry, and community organizations to strengthen departmental capacity for innovation.
  • Goal 2.4: Grow and diversify financial resources to support strategic initiatives.
  • Goal 2.5: Accelerate AI-readiness across computing research, teaching, and practice.

(Translating people and capacity into visibility, reputation, and impact)

  • Goal 3.1: Advance computing education and research to produce graduates and discoveries with global impact.
  • Goal 3.2: Expand the department’s distinction and impact by leveraging Virginia Tech’s geographically distributed Innovation Network.
  • Goal 3.3: Elevate departmental visibility and reputation through strategic communications and storytelling.
  • Goal 3.4: Identify and advance unifying themes that connect our teaching, research, and external partnerships.