REPORTS

RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, AND OUTCOMES

PREPARING STUDENTS

The impacts of globalization require us to consider how best to prepare Virginia Tech students for the interconnected world in which they will live and work. To foster global and engaged citizens, we must innovate the ways in which we teach and learn, including capitalizing on opportunities that technology will bring to students in and out of the classroom.

CAMPUS OF THE FUTURE

The campus of the future may look very different in terms of student, faculty, and staff needs and the college experience. The questions of who will be learning, how will they learn, and where will they learn will determine future Virginia Tech facilities and infrastructure needs.

GLOBAL LAND-GRANT

Today’s land-grant university must address economic, societal, and technological needs of this generation. Our graduates must have the capacity to solve complex problems of a regional, national, and global scale that have yet to be envisioned. Now and in the future, we will use research and service to address global issues such as health, sustainability, resilience and security, and advance knowledge through technical assistance. Global recognition is a testimonial to comprehensive excellence.

NEW FUNDING MODELS

Shifting funding and cost models dictate innovative ideas towards enhancing and diversifying our resource base. To preserve accessibility and affordability, we must evaluate new and diverse revenue sources. Virginia Tech’s continued strength as an institution will depend on how well we navigate this changing landscape.

STEERING COMMITTEE AND COLLABORATIONS

Research and analysis led us to investigate four thematic areas of focus. However, we were most interested in uncovering and expanding upon the intersections between these groups. Steering Committee members were charged to learn from and make sense of this university-wide effort.

A 2047 VISION

Beyond Boundaries: A 2047 Vision offers a framework for the future as we look ahead to the 175th anniversary of Virginia Tech. In response to President Sands' challenge to the university community, more than 90 committee members met during the 2015-16 academic year to imagine what we could and should be. This paper represents the work of thought leaders from across the university, and is just the beginning of an ongoing dialogue and new understanding of the university’s future in a changing landscape.

RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS

Advances in communication, transportation, and access to these tools have effectively “shrunk” the globe, and these trends will continue. Many aspects of economic life and environmental problems transcend national boundaries. These societal trends, coupled with a steady public disinvestment in higher education are making waves in the higher education landscape. Institutions throughout the world are working to navigate these rapid changes.

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