Purdue University Northwest > College of Technology > About Us > Strategic Plan

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

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

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

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

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)

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%)