Strategy

1. Offer applied degrees that put science to work.
2. Expand undergraduate degree enrollment for students beyond the Tucson campus.
3. Expand community college transfer opportunities and increase degrees awarded to transfer students.
4. Enhance CALES recruitment.
5. Increase retention, persistence and graduation.
6. Enhance career development.
7. Increase financial support for instructional excellence.
8. Promote faculty teaching excellence.
9. Graduate student instruction

1. Build on existing research strengths and identify strategic new investment areas to maximize research achievement.
2. Optimize CALES research infrastructure to support the CALES research mission.
3. Define and measure resource generation for research.
4. Expand communication on research activities.
5. Build tech transfer, IP development, external business relations/development.

Cooperative Extension Strategic Positioning Plan 

Climate Resilience:

• Insulate agriculture and Arizona's economy against climate fluctuations with stronger rangeland management, improved productivity and cutting-edge techniques.
• Strengthen food systems and teach families and communities climate awareness and heat resilience strategies that empower them to adapt.
• Study and teach ways to preserve Arizona's most precious natural resource - water - through law, policy and science.

Health and Wellness:

• Enhance access to affordable, healthy food and water by supporting home, school and community gardens, food preservation, local food pipelines and teaching drought-adapted growing practices.
• Deliver hands-on nutrition and physical activity education in every county.
• Incorporate emotional well-being and stress management skills across our spectrum of nutrition and family education programs.
• Offer tribal communities culturally meaningful youth development and adult education that promotes wellness, enhances food access and boosts nutrition.

Workforce Development:

• Equip future leaders with professional and personal skills to take charge of their world - no matter where it takes them.
• Invest in Arizona’s talent pool through professional development and readiness programs that meet the needs of a modern workforce.
• Guide our state's food producers toward profitability, whether they feed a family or the nation. 

Achieving Excellence:

• Foster a culture of continuous learning, collaboration and service excellence that reflects the diverse strengths of our workforce.
• Build and sustain strong, trusting relationships with tribal governments, communities and families.
• Stay accountable and responsive in delivering work that meets demonstrated community needs.