Office of International AffairsICASALS

Strategic Plan

International Center for Arid and semiarid land studies

(ICASALS)

 

STRATEGIC PLAN

MISSION STATEMENT

The International Center for Arid and Semiarid Land Studies’ (ICASALS) mission is to promote and facilitate multidisciplinary initiatives in research, education and regional development programs that address the understanding of processes caused by natural phenomena and by the human presence in arid and semiarid lands. ICASALS’ mission is focused on water related issues, one of Texas Tech overarching strategic priorities.

VISION STATEMENT

The International Center for Arid and Semiarid Land Studies (ICASALS) plans to be a recognized international leader in the study and management of water related issues in dry lands. The Center will achieve this vision by facilitating the application and expansion of the unique capabilities of Texas Tech University faculty, students and partner institutions in research, education and policy making related to the responsible use of natural resources by and for the people of arid and semiarid lands.

GOALS, CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS, AND OBJECTIVES

(2005 – 2010 period)

Goal 1. Excellence in International Multidisciplinary Research

Critical Success Factors:

  • Leverage line item funding to bring in additional funding.
  • External funding for research projects.
  • Engagement of Texas Tech faculty members in dry lands research.
  • Support of undergraduate and graduate students.
  • Multidisciplinary research centers at selected international locations.

Objectives:

Objective 1.1. Promote research in arid and semiarid lands with an emphasis on water resources.

Strategy:

  • Identify and secure funding from government agencies, international organizations, foundations or corporations.
  • Support graduate student research and internships with project funds awarded to ICASALS.
  • Publication of research results.

Assessment:

  • Total research funding applied for.
  • Total research expenditures.
  • Funding made available to graduate students.
  • Number of publications and citations.

Objective 1.2. Development of partnerships with Texas Tech faculty and administrators committed to conducting collaborative research both in the U.S. and abroad.

Strategy:

  • Development of a database of Texas Tech faculty interested in collaborating with ICASALS.
  • Invite faculty in academic departments, institutes and centers to collaborate in research projects.

Assessment:

  • Number of faculty registered in ICASALS database.
  • Number of faculty involved in ICASALS related research.

Objective 1.3. Multidisciplinary research centers operated in cooperation with local institutions at selected international locations.

Strategy:

  • Expand existent or establish new partnerships with organizations in other countries to carry out joint research activities.
  • Develop project proposals jointly with international partners to fund joint activities.
  • Initiate or support projects to develop faculty and/or graduate student research in locations outside the U.S.

Assessment:

  • Active partnerships with organizations abroad.
  • Number of research projects carried out abroad.
  • Number of joint proposals prepared with international partners.
  • Number of funded joint proposals.

Goal 2. Education Excellence

Critical Success Factors:

  • Partnerships with Texas Tech Departments and faculty members interested in academic and outreach education programs.
  • Multidisciplinary Master level graduate program in Arid and Semiarid Land Studies.
  • Use of advanced technology in distance education programs.
  • Support K-12 program.
  • External funding for education projects.

Objective 2.1. Reactivation of a multidisciplinary Master level graduate program in Arid and Semiarid Land Studies.

Strategy:

  • Partnerships with Texas Tech Departments and faculty members committed to academic and outreach programs dealing with Arid and Semiarid Lands.
  • Recruitment of graduate students at home and abroad.
  • Sponsor visiting lecturers and scholars.
  • Facilitate internships for students enrolled in the multidisciplinary graduate program in Arid and Semiarid Land Studies.
  • Support Master’s International program combining Peace Corps with graduate studies.

Assessment:

  • Participation of TTU faculty in multidisciplinary Master level graduate program in Arid and Semiarid Land Studies.
  • Number of students registered in multidisciplinary Master level graduate program in Arid and Semiarid Land Studies.
  • Number of lecturers and scholars sponsored by ICASALS.
  • Number of faculty members involved in ICASALS related education programs.

Objective 2.2. Use the Internet as an important option for communications and education at distance programs.

Strategy:

  • Support the development of courses that can be offered through the Internet.

Assessment:

  • Number of ICASALS related courses offered through the Internet.
  • Number of lectures and publications available through ICASALS website.

Objective 2.3. External funding for education projects.

Strategy:

  • Apply for external funding.
  • Develop partnerships with the College of Education and other academic departments in education and professional training.
  • Assist in coordination of practicum programs with TTU, agencies, foundations and other institutions.
  • Assist K-12 programs.

Assessment:

  • Number of grant proposals submitted to external agencies.
  • Number of grants awarded to ICASALS and partners.
  • Number of practicum programs involving ICASALS.
  • Support provided to K-12 programs.

Goal 3. Leadership in addressing water related issues in arid and semiarid lands at home and abroad.

Critical Success Factors:

  • Sponsor technical meetings.
  • Sponsor publications.
  • Sponsor awards.
  • Obtain support from corporations, foundations and other external organizations.

Objective 3.1. Sponsor technical meetings at home and abroad.

Strategy:

  • Sponsor conferences, seminars, workshops at home and abroad.
  • Presentation of awards to personalities contributing to the understanding or solution of water related issues in arid and semiarid lands.

Assessment:

  • Number of conferences, seminars or workshops sponsored by ICASALS.

Objective 3.2. Sponsor publications.

Strategy:

  • Publication of two annual ICASALS newsletters.
  • Publication of conference proceedings and technical papers.

Assessment:

  • Publications produced by ICASALS.

Objective 3.3. ICASALS Awards.

Strategy:

  • Identify potential award recipients at TTU.
  • Identify potential award recipients in the U.S. and abroad.
  • Presentation of awards to personalities contributing to the understanding or solution of water related issues in arid and semiarid lands.

Assessment:

  • Awards presented to members of the TTU community.
  • Awards presented to national and international personalities.

Goal 4. Institutional Partnerships

Critical Success Factors:

  • Support Texas Tech initiatives focused on international activities and water related issues.
  • Active partnerships with Texas Tech academic departments, institutes and centers.
  • Active partnerships with academic and research institutions in the nation and worldwide.
  • Support the engagement of ICASALS Faculty Associates in international activities.
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration with researchers at Texas Tech and other domestic and international institutions.

Objective 4.1. Nurture partnerships with TTU academic departments, institutes and centers interested in international education and research.

Strategy:

  • Support the engagement of ICASALS Faculty Associates in professional associations, advisory boards and networking activities.
  • Promote regular meetings with ICASALS Faculty Associates.

Assessment:

  • Participation of ICASALS Faculty Associates in sponsored public events, research and education activities.
  • Number of ICASALS Faculty Associate meetings.

Objective 4.2. Active partnerships with national and international academic and research institutions to pursue research and education programs related to arid and semiarid land studies.

Strategy:

  • Establish and maintain partnerships with domestic and international institutions.
  • Create opportunities for faculty, staff and student to study abroad and to participate in international exchange programs.
  • Support the development of foreign language programs at TTU.

Assessment:

  • Partnership agreements with domestic and international institutions.
  • Number of study abroad and exchange programs.

Goal 5. Resources and Infrastructure.

Critical Success Factors:

  • Support for a full-time Administrative Assistant for ICASALS.
  • Support Texas Tech academic departments, institutes and centers involved or seeking involvement in arid and semiarid land studies.
  • Nurture partnerships with local and regional organizations.
  • Meet regularly with ICASALS Advisory Board.
  • Support hiring new faculty in science and engineering that will teach courses and/or work on water related research in arid and semiarid lands.
  • Funding to provide travel support at an average level of $20,000 per year.
  • Bringing to ICASALS 1 million dollars in average annual external funding for research and education projects.

Objective 5.1. Increase external funding received by ICASALS for research, education and outreach projects.

Strategy:

  • Submit project proposals to funding agencies.
  • Establish progressively higher targets for external funding starting at the $500,000 level for the 2005-06 academic year and increasing gradually every year until reaching the $3 million level in 2009-10.

Assessment:

  • Annual external funding levels.
  • Funding level available for travel.

Objective 5.2. Increase ICASALS staff to support growth and expansion of activities.

Strategy:

  • Obtain funding for staff growth through projects awarded to ICASALS.
  • Support appropriate administrative and technical staff.

Assessment:

  • Staff growth during the planning period.

Objective 5.3. Promote awareness within the Lubbock and West Texas communities of arid and semiarid land issues.

Strategy:

  • Organizing public symposia in cooperation with local and regional organizations.
  • Sponsoring public lectures.
  • Providing speakers to schools and community events.
  • Nurture partnerships with local and regional organizations active in environmental and water related issues.
  • Invite local and regional community and industry leaders to serve on ICASALS Development Board.

Assessment:

  • ICASALS participation in local and regional events.
  • Local and regional community leaders serving on ICASALS Development Board.