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SI 9. Develop our donor base to support faculty research programs, research infrastructure, student and post-doctoral fellowships, and relationships that build pipelines to employment and professional programs for alumni

Motivation for this Strategic Initiative:

A strong portfolio of philanthropic investments raises the status of an institution and is a crucial source of funding, especially in the face of uncertain state and federal investment. Each of our strategic initiatives makes a compelling case that should interest philanthropists, foundations, and industries – our focus on equity and justice, research centers, faculty development, Endowed Chairs, “signature skillsets”, curricular reform, enhancing graduate programs, and fostering a respectful and inclusive workplace. Our focus on “signature skillsets” will open the door to pipeline programs that move our students into satisfying careers that benefit their communities. In collaboration with department chairs and faculty, the Dean will further refine the School’s priorities and work with Development to share our vision with alumni, individuals, and entities of means who share our values and can connect us to robust networks of like-minded people. A strong donor base is critical to our vision of being a world-class research campus that provides exceptional and equitable STEM education and establishes the Central Valley as a hub for integrative, transformative, and translational research and sustainable development.

The Dean’s Office and SNS faculty will begin working on action items for more strategic school-level development plans at the beginning of the AY21-22 school year. Among them will be to establish an external advisory board in order to build our donor network, establish relationships that will benefit our faculty and students, and provide feedback on our signature skill sets.