A Vision and Plan for the Department of Agricultural Economics
Vision
The Department of Agricultural Economics engaged in a visioning process to set its course for the future. The following vision describes how we should adjust our programs to respond to future challenges and maintain a high standard of excellence:
The Department of Agricultural Economics strives to be a premier source of education, research, and leadership development.
Mission
The Department's 63 faculty members are committed to the following mission:
The Department of Agricultural Economics engages people in the use of economic analysis for making decisions involving agribusinesses, natural resources, and communities through the pursuit of learning, leadership, diversity, professional development, and excellence.
Goals
- Respond to high-priority issues facing society in agribusiness (including food and fiber production, supplying inputs, processing products, and marketing), natural resources, environmental quality, and communities.
- Teach students how to use economic and business principles and develop their leadership and communication skills to prepare them for employment and to continue life-long learning.
- Conduct applied research programs to analyze business and public policy issues and respond to high-priority societal needs.
- Enhance the use of economic principles and research methods in solving economic problems through disciplinary research and graduate education.
- Develop targeted extension and outreach educational programs to deliver relevant information and teach the use of economic and business principles in making decisions.
- Collaborate with scientists and educators in other disciplines to incorporate economic analysis into multi-disciplinary programs.
- Develop a network with former students to enhance student learning experiences and placement and to facilitate achievement of Department goals.
- Create a professional environment conducive to promoting teamwork among faculty, staff, and students as they strive for excellence in the pursuit of the Department's goals.
Introduction and Current Status of the Department of Agricultural Economics
The Department, currently known as Agricultural Economics engaged in a visioning process to set its course for the future. We started this process by thinking about the future and the issues and challenges we will be facing. More...
Priority Objectives
Several priority objectives will be targeted to support and implement the vision, mission, and goals outlined for the Department. These objectives describe the targets for specific actions. They are quantifyable interim steps toward achieving the Department's mission and goals. They include teaching, research, and extension dimensions. They are not listed in order of importance.
The objectives are organized under two headings: Program Objectives and Operational Objectives. The Program Objectives relate to the changing needs and subject matter emphases for the future. They speak to changing program content and include University-related issues related to internationalization (student, faculty and staff) and information technology.
Program Objectives
- Create a Center for Technology and Information Management Economics.
- Establish a Natural Resource Economics and Policy Center.
- Expand Capabilities for Federal and State Public Policy Analysis.
- Develop an Area of Emphasis in Rural Entrepreneurship.
- Expand Efforts in Community Economics and Policy.
- Develop a Center for Agribusiness Studies.
- Expand the Agribusiness Education in the Americas Program.
- Emphasize the Knowledge and Skills Needed to Anticipate and Manage Change.
Operational Objectives
- Develop discipline-based solutions to research problems while maintaining a strong customer-driven applied economics research.
- Elevate the stature of the Department's graduate programs to the top ten among all institutions granting similar degrees.
- Manage enrollment and respond to demand for service courses to enhance the quality of the Department's undergraduate teaching programs.
- Enhance core extension programs and develop new programs to more effectively respond to the needs in agricultural producers, agribusinesses, food and fiber industries, and communities.
- Integrate international dimensions into the Department's programs by fostering a supportive institutional environment.
- Design the Department's administrative structure to enable the organizational agility needed for excellence.
Quality Criteria and Benchmarks
These are the benchmarks that will be used for assessing progress and performance. They indicate the effectiveness of the unit's performance and the public benefit derived from it. More...
Resource Needs
This is an ambitious vision and plan that will require additional resources. We believe, however, that given the high priority needs, the demands for the Department's services, and the quality of its programs, these resources will be forthcoming. They will come from diverse sources, including budget increases, state and federal agencies, contract work, fee income for continuing education, and program development campaigns to build endowments for sustained funding of programs.
Opportunities for Collaboration and Partnering
The Department will continue to emphasize collaboration and the development of partnerships to further its programs. Several examples where mentioned in the preceding objectives. In particular the Department will continue to emphasize its relations with the College of Business, the Department of Economics, the Bush School, the IFSE, and the other departments and centers that make up the Agriculture Program.
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The total report for the Vision and Plan for Agricultural Economics (11 pages) is available in Acrobat (pdf) format by clicking here.
The follow-up and comments from Edward A. Hiler, Vice Chancellor, are available here.
The update and progress report on the Department's Vision and Plan can be viewed by clicking here.
Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Send your suggestions to:
Dr. C. Parr Rosson III
Professor and Department Head
prosson@tamu.edu
or call (979) 845-2116