Strategic Plan 1998-2004
Executive Summary Submitted to NASA - 1998

In August of 1998, the partners and affiliates of New Mexico Space Grant Consortium (NMSGC) held a strategic planning conference to develop a strategic plan, which would guide our activities through the year 2004.

The National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program legislation was designed to broaden the base of universities and individuals contributing to, and benefiting from, aerospace science and technology. The national program was designed to ultimately contribute to the development and utilization of space resources.

Awareness of the national objectives guided NMSGC's efforts in creating a future for New Mexico that: promotes programs that support research in both undergraduate and graduate education creates

• programs that make a difference in student lives
• stimulates interest and learning in science
• improves pre-college and higher education classroom learning
• increases diversity in the workforce
• impacts all four years of higher education and graduate school stimulates student interest to pursue graduate school

Our external global assessment surveyed what has happened in the last five years in order to assess the basis for understanding large global forces and their potential to impact our programs in the next five years.

These forces, both human and material include:

• the internet
• advances in computing
• global connectiveness through microwave links
• transgenetics
• patenting of living organisms
• growth of the launch industry
• poor access to technology for education

In consideration of our national objectives and global forces impacting our organization, the partners and affiliates developed the following goals and objectives to guide NMSGC's work over the next five years.

Goal #1 - Research

Continue research with strong student involvement which supports NASA's strategic enterprises (Space Science, Earth Science Enterprise, Human Exploration and Development of Space, and Aerospace Technology).

Objectives include:

• Increase student participation in faculty research
• Continue NMSGC Research Enhancement Program
• Submit proposals to the New Mexico State Legislature to expand funding for research
• Support the dissemination of research results
• Disseminate benefits of research to citizens of New Mexico
• Provide links to NASA data for high school research projects

Goal #2 - Education

Increase interest and learning, within the education systems, in the areas of science, engineering, technology, and mathematics, using the challenges of NASA's strategic enterprises. We will increase interest and learning by improving education and by providing professional development, kindergarten through graduate school.

Objectives include:

• Increase interest and learning by improving pre-college education
• Increase interest and learning by improving undergraduate education
• Increase interest and learning by improving graduate education
• Increase interest and learning by providing professional development for faculty

Goal #3 - Public Service:

Create programs that support literacy in science, engineering, technology, and mathematics, for the citizens of New Mexico.

Objectives include:

• Disseminate benefits of Space Grant programs to the general public
• Work with university administrators as first recipients of science literacy program
• Enhance science, engineering, technology, and mathematics programs for the general public throughout New Mexico

These goals and objectives support NMSGC's mission:

• To encourage New Mexicans to participate in the economic, educational, and scientific benefits of aerospace
• To establish commonalities among the programs of consortium partners
• To enrich the educational process of all New Mexico students at all levels of instruction by creating programs and funding research that will encourage students to pursue aerospace science, engineering, technology, and mathematics careers

Major points of the Mission include:

• Strong K-Ph.D science, engineering, technology, and mathematics education program
• Encourage and recruit women, minorities, and first generation students into science, engineering, technology, and mathematics careers
• Network with universities, museums, state/local governments, and school district science, engineering, technology, and mathematics programs
• Integrate and develop aerospace science, engineering, technology, and mathematics, in the everyday life and development of all New Mexicans
  

Annual Assessment:

The assessment component of the NMSGC programs will include: Annual review by the advisory board regarding how objectives within each goal are progressing as outlined in the Five Year Timeline developed at the strategic planning conference.
Annual colloquia at each partner university will determine progress of research funded by Space Grant.