Strategic Plan

Explore the College of Technology’s mission, vision, and goals with our 2025-2030 strategic plan.

Mission

The College of Technology empowers students through hands-on, industry-responsive education and applied research. We build collaborative partnerships that address real-world challenges and foster leaders who innovate across industries and communities.

Vision

To be a leader in education and advancing innovation, impactful research, and workforce partnerships that elevate the technological capacity of Northwest Indiana and beyond.

Strategic Priorities: Our Path to Rise

The following five strategic goals reflect the College of Technology’s commitment to the RISE (Respect, Innovation, Student-Centric, Excellence) values and align with Purdue Northwest’s institutional strategic plan.

Goals:

1. Strengthen Outreach
2. Foster Academic Excellence
3. Enhance Quality of Programs
4. Advance Student Experience
5. Seek Programmatic Accreditation

Goal 1: Strengthen Outreach

Extend collaborative support within the local, national, and global community to drive mutual benefit.

Objectives and Metrics:

• Build meaningful partnerships with regional, national, and global industries.
  Metric: Number of active industry partners and collaborative projects
  Metric: Student engagement in site visits, internships, or mentorship programs
• Engage with Industrial Advisory Boards (IAB), industry professionals, and community leaders to foster discussion and focus on current and future issues.
  Metric: Number of external stakeholders (industry, alumni, students) engaged in internships, site-visits, industry/student projects , and conferences

• Develop global awareness through relevant experiences.
  Metric: Number of students participating in global projects, virtual exchanges, or study abroad
  Metric: Number of globally relevant case studies integrated into curriculum

Goal 2: Foster Academic Excellence

Develop and enhance engaged learning programs supported by research and continuous innovation.

Objectives and Metrics:

• Embed research-based, engaged learning into programs.
  Metric: Percentage of undergraduate and graduate courses with active research or applied project components
  Metric: Number of faculty and student research collaborations or publications
• Regularly review and update curricula using assessment data and industry feedback.
  Metric: Completion of annual program review cycle for all departments
  Metric: Documentation of programmatic changes based on assessment data
  Metric: Develop just-in-time new graduate and undergraduate certificates and degree programs
• Provide accessible academic support services.
  Metric: Retention and GPA increases among students using tutoring/mentoring resources

Goal 3: Enhance Quality of Programs

Use continuous assessment and stakeholder input to strengthen academic program quality and relevance.

Objectives and Metrics:

• Invest in faculty development and instructional quality.
  Metric: Percentage of faculty participating in pedagogical or industry training annually
  Metric: Peer and student evaluations of instruction (improvement trends)
• Continue engagement with Industrial Advisory Boards (IAB), industry professionals, and community leaders, to foster discussion and focus on current and future issues.
  Metric: Gathering and implementing input from industry professionals regarding course content and outcomes, and expectations of graduates

• Offer responsive continuing education/training for industry professionals.
  Metric: Enrollment and completion rates for non-credit training programs
  Metric: Percentage of learners reporting job/career impact post-program

Goal 4: Advance Student Experience

Nurture students to thrive in high-tech careers.

Objectives and Metrics:

• Create intentional pathways through articulation agreements and STEM partnerships.
  Metric: Number of articulation agreements with feeder institutions
  Metric: Incoming transfer student enrollment and persistence rates
  Metric: Improve transfer student experience into College of Technology programs
• Align curriculum, projects, and supported student organizations with workforce needs to improve career outcomes.
  Metric: Job placement within 6 months of graduation
  Metric: Increase in industry projects
  Metric: Retention in College of Technology-supported student organizations
• Encourage interdisciplinary and industry-aligned learning opportunities.
  Metric: Percentage of students completing at least one interdisciplinary, industry-aligned learning experience prior to graduation
  Metric: Student self-reported confidence in applying interdisciplinary skills to real-world industry problems (survey-based)

Goal 5: Seek Programmatic Accreditation

Meet national and industry-specific standards to improve the credibility of the College of Technology and student career readiness.

Objectives and Metrics:

• Achieve or maintain programmatic accreditation (e.g., ABET).
  Metric: Accreditation status (yes/no) by program
  Metric: Number of programs reviewed/accredited during the strategic period
• Align programs with certification requirements.
  Metric: First-time pass rate on relevant industry certifications (target ≥ 70%)