VisionSync Submission for IANR

Establish the University of Nebraska System with all of its educational programs as the most extraordinary learner-centered university with nationally recognized programs and top-tier faculty and staff.

OSI 1.1: Launch the Forward Focus Pilot 

Experiential learning and internship model to ensure CASNR student engages in meaningful, career-relevant opportunities during the AY that strengthen academic persistence, degree completion, and workforce readiness.

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1: Identify a team of faculty and student success navigators to develop the implementation plan for the pilot
• Quarter 2: Identify a cohort of students to participate in the pilot
• Quarter 3: Launch the pilot initiative
• Quarter 4: Assess outcomes, revise based on formative feedback, and prepare to scale for the 2026–27 academic year

Point of Contact: Tom Burkey and Lisa Karr

OSI 1.2: Create the Pilot Partnership Pathways with CASNR, NECC, and NCTA  

Implement innovative, dual-matriculation education pathways that offer clear, affordable, and flexible transitions into CASNR degree programs, expanding access and strengthening the agricultural workforce pipeline.

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1: Finalize program design and curricular alignment across institutions
• Quarter 2: Recruit and onboard initial student cohorts; develop coordinated advising structures
• Quarter 3: Launch first-year experience programming and cross-institutional support structures
• Quarter 4: Evaluate student progression, retention, and satisfaction to inform expansion

Point of Contact: Tom Burkey and Lisa Karr

OSI 1.3:  Expand the Elite 11 Program 

• Quarter 1:  Onboard the second Elite 11 cohort 

The Nebraska Elite 11 program provides a pathway—from freshman year to fully funded DVM—with a strong commitment to serve rural Nebraska. It’s a model scholarship program focused on developing a skilled and committed production-animal veterinary workforce.

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 2:  Develop selection criteria for Elite 11
• Quarter 3:  Announce Elite 11 Scholarship for Cohort 3 and Cohort 1 – Elite 11
• Quarter 4:  Finalize selection for Cohort 3 and Cohort 1 – Elite 11

Point of Contact: Tom Burkey, Deb VanOverbeke, Scott McVey, Tiffany Heng-Moss

OSI 1.4:  Create the Bioeconomy Initiative: From Workforce Development to Increasing Value Added of Nebraska Commodities – Aligns with Pillars 1 and 2 

Nebraska is uniquely positioned to lead the nation's bioeconomy transformation as the 2nd largest ethanol producer and home to one of the largest bioprocessing campuses in the US. Building on the NSF-funded FoodID project and national and global partnerships, IANR will establish comprehensive biomanufacturing programs spanning the entire value chain from agricultural feedstocks to high-value products such as fuels, foods, and textiles, through microbial biotechnology and sustainable bioprocessing. By developing 2+2 programs with community colleges, specialized certificates, and hands-on training opportunities, IANR will address the critical workforce shortage limiting bioeconomy growth. This initiative diversifies Nebraska's agricultural value chains while creating educational pathways from associate degrees through graduate programs aligned with industry demands.

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1: Convene one or more interdisciplinary working groups of faculty, staff, and students working on efforts related to bioeconomy and biomanufacturing; share current efforts in this area 
• Quarter 2: Identify and map funding strategies that align working group strengths with emerging opportunities including industry-sponsored research 
• Quarter 3: Create and implement collaborative programs with local community colleges and establish relationships with industries related to bioeconomy to offer internships to students 
• Quarter 4: Submit proposals for tailored degree opportunities, such as MS programs, certificates, and badges that will fulfill industry needs 

Point of Contact: Silvana Martini and Don Becker

OSI 1.5:  Develop the Future is Rural Initiative 

To position the University of Nebraska System as a national leader in rural workforce development by leveraging current IANR programs such as Agribusiness Banking & Finance Option, Agricultural Education, Elite 11, Engler Entrepreneurship, and Food for Health. This initiative aims to create innovative, learner-centered educational pathways that prepare students for high-demand careers in rural communities, fostering economic vitality and sustainability through multidisciplinary, experiential learning and workforce-aligned curricula.

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1: Identify programs across IANR related to workforce development and determine their current strengths and weaknesses.
• Quarter 2: Form a Rural Workforce Development Task Force with faculty and students across IANR. Partner with state agencies, including the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Agriculture to gather demographic information, and conduct preliminary gap analysis to establish baselines for workforce needs and demographic data.
• Quarter 3: Conduct a needs assessment with rural stakeholders and IANR program leaders to identify workforce gaps. Use data from state partnerships to strategize educational levels and credentials (e.g., certificates, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees) needed to address workforce demands.
• Quarter 4: Develop pilot programs.Use data from state partnerships to strategize educational levels and credentials (e.g., certificates, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees) needed to address workforce demands.

Point of Contact: Kate Brooks, Mark Balschweid, and Mary Emery

OSI 1.6:  Elevate Experiential Learning Initiative  

This initiative will expand high-impact, hands-on learning opportunities for CASNR students. 

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1:  Planning and framework development to create task force of faculty, staff, students, industry partners 
• Quarter 2:  Identify funding sources, program design, create cohorts, and launch
• Quarter 3:  Scale and Integration for expansion, establish a centralized hub, develop philanthropic platform for fundraising, celebration of success
• Quarter 4:  Evaluation and sustainability, develop peer mentoring program, evaluate funding strategy

Point of Contact: Derek McLean, Lisa Karr, and Hector Santiago

OSI 1.7: Support Teaching Excellence

In collaboration with academic units, the CASNR Teaching and Learning Improvement Committee will foster a college-wide culture of teaching excellence by supporting and co-developing professional development opportunities for faculty, staff, and learning assistants. These efforts will be operationalized through the Winter Interim Teaching and Learning Workshop as well as a series of periodic brown-bag sessions offered throughout the fall/spring semesters.

Point of Contact: Tom Burkey and Lisa Karr

Establish the University of Nebraska System research and creative activity scope and prominence as widely recognized for extraordinary societal impact as a top tier institution.

OSI 2.1:  Launch the Nebraska Digital Agriculture Initiative 

IANR is uniquely positioned to become a global leader in digital agriculture – especially in irrigated cropping systems and beef production systems, where Nebraska already leads the nation. By establishing the Nebraska Digital Agriculture Hub, IANR will accelerate adoption of data-driven technologies while addressing critical barriers faced by producers. With strategic investments, visionary leadership, and collaborative engagement, IANR will shape the future of digital agriculture locally, nationally, and globally.

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1: Establish cross-campus Digital Ag Taskforce including representatives from IANR units, REECs, Extension, Nebraska Innovation Campus, industry partners, and producers and identify strengths, needs, and alignment opportunities.
• Quarter 2: Host the Digital Agriculture Forum to demonstrate current capabilities, spread awareness, and build collaborative community across NU and stakeholders
• Quarter 3: Develop and formally propose the Nebraska Digital Agriculture Center, including mission, leadership and governance structure, operating model, and priority focus areas
• Quarter 4: Launch the Center and implement Year One action plans including pilot projects, seed grants, faculty collaborations, and strategic partnership agreements

Point of Contact: Martha Mamo and Mark Stone

OSI 2.2:  Advance AI/ML in Biological and Agricultural Systems  

• Quarter 1: Establish cross-functional AI/ML Task Force with representatives from IANR departments, across UNL, and regional industry partners

IANR is uniquely positioned to become the global leader in artificial intelligence and machine learning applications for agricultural and natural resources systems, leveraging our world-class researchers, unprecedented access to agricultural and natural resources data spanning decades, and strategic partnerships with industry leaders. By establishing comprehensive AI/ML infrastructure and expertise, IANR will accelerate the development of intelligent systems that transform crop modeling, precision livestock management, natural resource optimization, and climate resilience strategies. Through strategic investments in talent, technology, and partnerships, IANR will pioneer the next generation of AI-powered solutions that address global food security challenges while creating economic opportunities for Nebraska's agricultural producers and technology sectors.

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 2: Recruit and onboard Professor of Practice in AI to develop foundational courses, training programs, and capacity-building initiatives across IANR
• Quarter 3: Develop a comprehensive 3-year AI/ML technology roadmap including research and instructional priorities, capacity needs, and a proposed organizational structure for sustained leadership
• Quarter 4: Establish and fill a Director of Emerging Technologies position to lead IANR's AI/ML strategy, coordinate research initiatives, and establish Nebraska as the premier destination for agricultural AI innovation

Point of Contact: Derek McLean and Mark Stone

OSI 2.3:  Establish the Agricultural Biosecurity Initiative: Ensuring Safe and Sustainable Food, Fiber, and Fuel for Nebraska and the Nation 

To protect and strengthen agricultural systems across the United States by advancing integrated and nationally scalable solutions for the early detection, prevention, and mitigation of agroterrorism and natural biological threats to plants, animals, and the nation’s food, fuel, feed, and fiber systems.

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1:  Convene IANR-NSRI-NCITE-UNMC-UNL working group on Agricultural Biosecurity
• Quarter 2:  Develop biosecurity curriculum modules and certificate planning
• Quarter 3:  Submit multi-unit USDA/NIFA and DoD proposals for biosecurity infrastructure
• Quarter 4: Host statewide Agricultural Biosecurity Summit at UNL Innovation Campus

Point of Contact: Loren Giesler, Meghan Jackson, and Derek McLean

OSI 2.4: Advance the IANR Quality Metrics and Key Performance Indicators Initiative 

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1: Conduct listening sessions with academic units and centers to gain feedback on current metrics/KPIs and opportunities to add metrics and KPIs
• Quarter 2: Create a workgroup of faculty and external stakeholders, define roles, establish charter to outline scope and objectives
• Quarter 3: Implementation and testing to pilot the metrics/KPIs, refine metrics/KPIs, prepare pilot report
• Quarter 4: Scale, evaluation, and optimization to rollout plan, track adoption rates, early impacts, and propose refinements

Point of Contact: Derek McLean, Hector Santiago, and Tala Awada

OSI 2.5:  Advance NFARMS and Nebraska Digital Agriculture Database 

• Quarter 1: Opening of NFARMS platform, partner with Industry relations to develop partnership framework and planning

This initiative will position Nebraska as a leader in digital agriculture by launching the NFARMS platform and developing a framework for robust industry partnerships. Through pilot projects, scaled integration, and long-term sustainability planning, this initiative will connect research, technology, and industry to drive innovation in agriculture.

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 2: Identify industry partners for pilot program launch
• Quarter 3: Scale successful pilot projects and integrate partnerships into university operations
• Quarter 4: Evaluate partnership impact and establish a sustainable model

Point of Contact: Derek McLean, Hector Santiago, and Joe Luck

Establish the University of Nebraska System and our engagement partners as having the highest-quality and impact that are recognized for extraordinary rural and urban outcomes.

OSI 3.1 Reach 90% of All Nebraska Schools with Educational Programming 

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1:  Pilot strategic listening conversations with faculty and partners.
• Quarter 2:  Assess pilot feedback and determine best practices. 
• Quarter 3: Scale strategic listening conversations.
• Quarter 4: Findings/Themes are from Strategic listening conversations are used to identify issues upon which partnerships can be developed.

Point of Contact: Charlie Stoltenow and Extension Leadership Team

OSI 3.2:  Ensure an Educational Presence in 100% of Counties

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1:  Pilot strategic listening conversations with faculty and partners.
• Quarter 2:  Assess pilot feedback and determine best practices. 
• Quarter 3: Scale strategic listening conversations.
• Quarter 4: Findings/Themes are from Strategic listening conversations are used to identify issues upon which partnerships can be developed.

Point of Contact: Charlie Stoltenow and Extension Leadership Team

OSI 3.3:  Increase the Number of UNL Students Recruited through Nebraska Extension 

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1:  Develop agreement between ASEM and 4-H to solidify partnership and goals.
• Quarter 2:  Align ASEM Coordinators with Extension Engagement Zone Coordinators. 
• Quarter 3:  Provide training for Extension Educators on Recruitment and Retention Strategies.
• Quarter 4:  Develop system for tracking 4-H students through ASEM systems.

Point of Contact: Charlie Stoltenow and Extension Leadership Team

OSI 3.4:  Conduct 200 Community-Engaged Research Projects (including agriculture, health, community engagement)

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1:  Determine number of Extension-led community-based research projects in existence.
• Quarter 2:  Assess current Extension-led community-based research projects as to best success strategies and develop models of practice.
• Quarter 3:  Develop a coordinated system to track current Extension-led community-based research projects.
• Quarter 4:  Develop a systemic recruitment process for increasing the number of Extension-led community-based research projects.

Point of Contact: Charlie Stoltenow and Extension Leadership Team

OSI 3.5:  Expand Early College and Career Pathways  

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1:  Partner with OPS Administration and Omaha Agribusiness Community to map 4-year engagement plan for OPS students 
• Quarter 2:  Provide experiential learning opportunities for OPS students (approximately 700 - 1000)
• Quarter 3:  Provide experiential learning opportunities for OPS students (approximately 700 – 1000)
• Quarter 4:  Meet with OPS Administration and Omaha Agribusiness Community to review student feedback and plan for Year 2 programming

Point of Contact: Tammy Mittelstet, Bailey Feit, and Tom Burkey

OSI 3.6:  Establish the National Consortium for Ag Security Education (NCASE) 

 In partnership with the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE), the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) will launch the National Consortium for Ag Security Education (NCASE) as a pilot initiative. This collaborative effort aims to strengthen national agricultural security by developing, piloting, and delivering targeted educational modules designed to build awareness and preparedness among federal and state-level security professionals. Through this initiative, IANR and NCITE will position Nebraska as a leader in advancing ag biosecurity education and workforce development at the intersection of agriculture and national security. 

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1: Finalize development of four foundational educational modules focused on the ag complex and critical aspects of agricultural security
• Quarter 2: Identify pilot participants
• Quarter 3:  Pilot the module series with select cohorts of security professionals from federal and state agencies to assess content relevance, delivery effectiveness, and knowledge application.
• Quarter 4: Conduct comprehensive evaluation of pilot feedback and integrate formative recommendations into revised module content and instructional design to enhance impact and usability.

Also mapped to Pillar 3, Strategy 3.1, Partnerships and Alignment Across NU 

Point of Contact: Jeff Bradshaw, Meghan Jackson

OSI 3.7:  Activate the Central Flyway Initiative 

The Central Flyway Resilience Collaborative hosted by the School of Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln will serve as an interdisciplinary platform focused on enhancing the ecological, social, and economic resilience of the Central Flyway region. The Collaborative uses a placed-based approach to integrate research, community partnerships, and practical conservation solutions to empower agricultural producers as stewards of a functional agroecological system, support health and water quality in rural communities, and preserve grassland, wetland, and riverine habitat for critical species of birds along this globally significant migration corridor.

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1:  Hold individual engagement meetings to develop a core affiliate faculty within IANR; hold individual engagement meetings with external conservation organizations to develop membership of the Stakeholder Council and describe gaps in current conservation efforts among partners; hold initial Collaborative meeting with IANR faculty and conservation stakeholder groups to develop governance document, initiatives, and working group from each initiative 
• Quarter 2:  Work with Affiliate Faculty and Stakeholder Council to develop a leadership structure; host at least one meeting with each working group to plan actions for 2026; host a Collaborative meeting to bring working groups together to identify a Nebraska focal community with an associated wetland complex and develop funding plans for actions
• Quarter 3:  Submit a call for collaborative universities across the Great Plains; work within working groups to apply for funding grants or develop donor action plans; work with Stakeholder Council and Nebraska Extension to begin to engage key conservation and public health professionals and community leaders in the proposed focal community
• Quarter 4:  Host a public meeting with the focal community; install monitoring system of time-lapse cameras and other instrumentation in focal wetland complex; collaborative leadership structure will assess responses from universities interested in the Collaborative; host a Collaborative meeting to identify accomplishments, share proposed expanded collaborations with other universities, discuss funding support, and identify actions for 2026

Point of Contact: Larkin Powell

Establish the University of Nebraska System campuses, across all their missions, as having an extraordinarily vibrant and engaging culture in environments that are safe, welcoming.

OSI 4.1:  Sustain Research and Outreach at UNL Research, Extension, Education Centers 

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1: Create NU system working group to evaluate opportunity for collaboration and leverage REEC footprint
• Quarter 2: Develop research and community projects that leverage the unique skills and expertise across the NU system, develop plan to seek external funds to sponsor new initiatives
• Quarter 3: Implement external funding to support activity – sponsored grants, philanthropic support
• Quarter 4: Evaluate sustainability and scale opportunities, evaluate working group membership for possible expansion and broader opportunities, communicate success and milestones to external stakeholders

Point of Contact: ARD, Hector Santiago, REEC Directors, and Associate Directors

OSI 4.2:  Launch the Culture and Environment Initiative

Launch a pilot program for encouraging the application of best practice strategies for nurturing environments within research teams the encourage mentorship toward professional development and strategies that demonstrate that every person and every interaction matters.

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1: Finalize tip sheets identifying best practice strategies and curriculum for workshops and mentoring network. Identify participants for pilot.
• Quarter 2: Launch the pilot initiative
• Quarter 3: Provide support and mentorship for pilot participants
• Quarter 4: Assess outcomes, revise based on formative feedback, and prepare to scale for the 2026–27 academic year

Also mapped to Pillar 4, Strategy 4.3, Workplace Quality and Experience 

Point of Contact: Rich Bischoff and ARD Leadership Team 

OSI 4.3: Develop the Pesticide Re-Entry Program with the John Deere Platform (REECs) 

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1: Partnership framework and planning - form a working group/task force, conduct a needs assessment, identify equipment and resources required for launch, development a partnership plan and priorities
• Quarter 2: Pilot program development and launch - create operational plans for pilots program - timelines, budget, roles of members of the working group
• Quarter 3: Expansion and integration - analyze Q2 pilot outcomes, develop plan to scale project to all REECs, establish centralized digital platform to track outcomes
• Quarter 4: Evaluation and sustainability - conduct comprehensive evaluation of partnership outcomes, measure metrics, benchmark initiative against existing programs, develop sustainability plan, present report to stakeholders and leadership

Point of Contact:  REEC Directors, Associate Directors, NE Extension

OSI 4.4: Launch the Safety Training Modules Initiatives (REECs)

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1: Create a taskforce to identify safety training resources, connect with Canvas administrators
• Quarter 2: Upload training materials to Canvas, develop a test and pilot system for select number of users, evaluate flow of information and operation of the system for training and tracking use, create a reportable database
• Quarter 3: Expand the program to include all employees, provide technical support to employees to understand how to navigate the system, develop guidance for implementation and collect feedback from users
• Quarter 4: Evaluation and sustainability -conduct comprehensive evaluation

Point of Contact:  REEC Directors and Associate Directors

OSI 4.5: Develop the International Scholar Appreciation, Acclimation, and Professional Development Program (REECs)

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1: Develop a scholar appreciation program to acknowledge scholars for exceptional contributions in research, interdisciplinary, and outreach activities
• Quarter 2: Highlight representative cultures with international potluck and cultural awareness events scheduled quarterly
• Quarter 3: Develop and launch a program for English speaking practice, presentations, peer mentoring, and cross-cultural exchange among students, staff, and faculty
• Quarter 4: Expand mentoring program with scientific writing workshops, organize quarterly events where scholars share their research findings or cultural perspectives and communication tools.

Point of Contact:  REEC Directors and Associate Directors

Establish the University of Nebraska System as an extraordinarily effective, efficient, and sustainable organization for planning and implementation of all mission-driven goals.

OSI 5.1: Manage REEC Research Space through the Statewide Agricultural Research Administration System (SARAS) 

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1: Planning and Design: Meet with research teams to finalize system specifications. Provide introduction and training of SARAS to department, research teams, field teams, production unit
• Quarter 2: Initial testing and implementation: deploy system across ENREEC, conduct comprehensive support resources, address bugs and feedback loops
• Quarter 3: Full rollout and optimization - deploy system at all REECs, Lincoln based facilities, provide support and feedback loops
• Quarter 4: Monitor system performance; collect user feedback, identify pain points, establish long-term support plan.

Point of Contact:  Hector Santiago, REEC Directors, and Associate Directors

OSI 5.2: Optimize Utilization of REEC Equipment across IANR’s Statewide Platform 

Quarterly Milestones:

• Quarter 1:  Strategic framework development and equipment assessment
  • Convene REEC Directors to develop a coordinated framework for maximizing the efficient use of equipment across IANR’s statewide research platform.
  • Conduct a comprehensive inventory and condition assessment of existing equipment (e.g., tractors, combines).
  • Complete an equipment needs assessment for the upcoming growing season, detailing type of equipment, usage timeline, specific location requirements, etc.
• Quarter 2:  Partnership engagement and lease agreement
• Quarter 3:  Pilot launch – planting season
• Quarter 4:  Evaluate pilot outcomes based on planting cycle

Also mapped to Pillar 5, Strategy 5.2, Data Driven Decisions and Related Communication 

Point of Contact:  Hector Santiago, REEC Directors, Associate Directors, and Farm Managers

OSI 5.3:  Reduce the number of foundation funds deemed to be underutilized 

Definition for underutilized - 2 years without an expenditure for Expendable funds, or 2X the annual distribution amount in spendable for Endowed Funds.

• Quarter 2: Complete inventory of underutilized funds and communicate to the Foundation which funds can be reinvested

Point of Contact:  Jeff Bassford