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Economic Development, Community Engagement & Industry Partnerships

Five Year Strategic Plan

Pillar 3: Economic Development, Community Engagement, and Industry Partnerships

Since 1928, UAFS has actively cultivated strong relationships with local, regional, and global partners to create opportunities for collaborative innovation, experiential learning, and community service.

Download Pillar 3 PDF

By enriching the student experience and by meaningfully contributing to the development of the businesses that power the River Valley, we drive transformational change in our local region.

  • Strategy 1: Collaborate with business, industry, and community-based organizations to identify, design, and deliver innovative, high-demand programs to meet evolving workforce needs.
  • Strategy 2: Strengthen partnerships with regional organizations to develop customized learning opportunities, including internships, clinical experiences, and apprenticeships, expanding students’ real-world experience.
  • Strategy 3: Create adaptive program models and curricula incorporating competency-based learning, educational experiences, and credentialing to support career advancement and lifelong learning.
  • Strategy 4: Leverage university intellectual capital to drive innovative solutions, support business retention and expansion, and stimulate regional economic growth, establishing UAFS as a catalyst for regional development.
  • Strategy 5: Broaden the creation and utilization of program advisory boards to enable a continuous exchange of feedback between the development of academic programs and the present and future needs of the community.