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
Following the launch of the NU System’s Odyssey to Extraordinary, UNL vice chancellors, deans, department leaders and shared governance partners convened to draft Our Bold Path Forward, an outline of a strategic framework that would provide guidance for colleges, units, and departments as they set actionable goals and strategic priorities through the 2028-29 academic year.
Our Bold Path Forward will guide strategy and ensure alignment across UNL. This strategic direction will be embedded in our branding and national presence going forward, spotlighting our unique identity, value and strategic opportunities by:
- Launching a unified marketing and branding campaign grounded in our clarified identity.
- Communicating our distinctive culture and core strengths to all core audiences.
- Positioning UNL as an importer and retainer of talent, not an exporter.
- Elevating the university’s reputation on the national stage while maintaining strong statewide impact.
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.