IANR’s work is rooted in our land-grant mission and intentionally guided by strategy. Together, IANR’s Strategic Direction, NU’s Odyssey to the Extraordinary, and UNL’s Bold Path Forward form a robust and integrated framework that allows us to build on our strengths, advance strategic growth and ensure long-term relevance and impact.
Learn more about the strategies that guide us below:
IANR Strategic Direction
The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources sits at the intersection of food, energy, water, health, and community—sectors essential to the state’s success. Guided by its land-grant mission, IANR partners with Nebraskans to expand access to education, research, and extension.
In 2023, IANR marked its 50th anniversary by reflecting on its history, celebrating decades of impact, and engaging stakeholders across the state to identify challenges and opportunities. These insights shaped IANR’s Strategic Direction, guiding the next five years and laying the groundwork for the future.
UNL’s Bold Path Forward
In 2019, UNL celebrated 150 years of advancing quality of life for Nebraska and beyond, while also looking ahead through the N150 Commission and the N2025 Strategic Plan. As we continue this momentum—transforming lives and empowering future generations to lead with boldness and purpose—we are aligning our efforts with the University of Nebraska System’s Odyssey to Extraordinary. This alignment guides the development of our next strategic framework, Our Bold Path Forward.
In the coming weeks, UNL will host a series of sessions inviting faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, students, and leadership to help shape this framework.
Across IANR, we will hold four sessions for our community to offer input and help guide the development of this plan:
West Central REEC
April 1 | 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Lunch will be provided.
Panhandle REEC
April 2 | 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Lunch will be provided.
East Campus
April 7: 8:30-10 a.m.
In conjunction with All-Hands meeting
Haskell Agricultural Laboratory
April 15 | noon – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch will be provided.
ENREEC
April 16, noon – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch will be provided.
NU’s Odyssey to the Extraordinary
In November 2024, the newly named president of the University of Nebraska System, Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., gathered with the chancellors and the Board to chart the path forward for Nebraska’s only public university. The goal: At a time of great change in higher education, lay out a vision for what the future should look like for the University of Nebraska. From that work has emerged a plan for growth and success across the four-campus University of Nebraska System, mapping to five key pillars, and 14 strategies. Beneath these strategies are Operational Strategic Initiatives (OSIs), developed and carried out by the campuses, colleges, institutes and other major units across the NU system.