Increasing Land-Grant Impact
Our Vision
As Pennsylvania’s only land-grant university, Penn State is uniquely positioned to catalyze transformative change within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We envision a future where our campuses serve as engines of economic prosperity, fostering innovation, enhancing sustainability and resiliency, cultivating a highly skilled workforce, and enriching the lives of all Pennsylvanians.
Through deep and reciprocal relationships with local communities, businesses, and government agencies, we will create strong partnerships where education, research, and economic development intersect seamlessly. Penn State will provide accessible and affordable pathways to higher education for all Pennsylvanians and empower our students to become leaders in their fields, contributing to the growth and vitality of our state for generations to come.
Our Goal
Penn State will leverage the breadth and depth of its scholarship and expertise to tackle the most pressing challenges facing the commonwealth, nation, and world.
Objectives and Measures
To elevate our stature as a land-grant university, we will concentrate our efforts on the following objectives (what we want to achieve) and measures (how we will evaluate success) to drive impactful change.
Measures in our Strategic Plan are meant to show progress and effectiveness towards achieving the objectives set forth in the plan. Measures may be updated or modified during the life of the plan to appropriately support data-informed decision making or to reflect changes in strategic objectives.
Objective 1: Leverage our assets and strategic partnerships to build resilient, sustainable communities for the betterment of the Commonwealth .
How we will measure success:
Community and Economic Impact
- Research and collaborative projects with business, industry, and non-profit groups
- Businesses started, assisted, retention rates, and economic impact
- Jobs created or retained
- Penn State led community-centered resilience and sustainability-oriented efforts/initiatives
- In-state students graduating and then working in Pennsylvania
- Licenses executed with external partners
- Number of research findings translated into actionable solutions for Commonwealth challenges
- Research and creative activities delivered related to health, education, and arts that engage Pennsylvania communities
- Tangible impacts of partnership projects, such as infrastructure improvements, public health advancements, or economic gains
Workforce Development and Educational Opportunities
- Number of partners working with students on community-engaged scholarship and research programs
- Pennsylvania high school to Penn State pipeline rates
- Total number of learners enrolled in alternative credential programs
- Internships, placement rates, and workforce development pipelines
- Access and affordability of a Penn State education for in-state residents
- Social mobility measures
Extension and Outreach
- Extension and Outreach educational programs delivered
- Number of constituents engaged through Penn State programming
Objective 2: Amplify our academic enterprise through partnerships with business and industry, non-profit groups, communities, and residents.
How we will measure success:
Industry and Community Collaboration
- Business, industry, community, and non-profit partnerships
- Experiential learning opportunities for students through business, industry, community, government, and non-profit partnerships
Sustainability and Operations
- Number of sustainability upgrades to Penn State energy grid
- Sustainable operations data for Penn State locations
Sponsorships
- Sponsorships for University training, professional development, events, and conferences
Intellectual Property and Innovation
- Licenses executed, start-ups formed, and community-engaged research projects initiated
Objective 3: Galvanize an engaged and effective network of advocates and investors in Penn State.
How we will measure success:
Advocacy and Legislative Engagement for Institutional Support
- Registered Penn State advocates and active engagement
- Funding appropriation and per-student-funding parity, linked to Pennsylvania legislative performance-based measures
- Demonstrated economic and community impact to Pennsylvania legislators and the public
Funding
- Overall fundraising numbers from donors
- University campaign goal progress
- Funding from businesses, industry, and corporate philanthropy
Learn More