Addressing Challenges
External Challenges [1]
The College of Natural Resources (CNR) Outreach program responds to five key external challenges that arise from both national trends affecting all of higher education in the coming years, along with the strategic emphases articulated in the University of Idaho Strategic Plan. [2]
Challenge 1 - Increased Focus on Outreach and Engagement in Higher Education: Higher education has increased its focus on the quality and measurement of outreach and engagement activities.
Challenge 2 - Serving the Public Good with Fewer Public Resources: Today, the relationship between higher education institutions and government is undergoing a profound restructuring. This situation has significant impact for Outreach.
Challenge 3 - Assessing and Meeting the Needs of Adult Learners: Over the past decade, the adult learner has become of increasingly strategic importance to higher education institutions. The Information Society is one marked by rapid and continuing change that requires professionals to refresh their education regularly in order for them, their organizations, and their communities to remain competitive. This has profound implications for our approach to outreach. In particular, distance education will play an increasingly important role in the delivery of effective outreach programs and activities in the future.
Challenge 4 - Proactively Addressing Changing Needs and Demographics of Citizens and Communities: The trend toward viewing higher education as a private good also means that stakeholders are demanding accountability and value for their dollars. Outreach has a tradition of assessing the needs of citizens and other stakeholders, and must continue to anticipate the changing needs of children, families, communities, and businesses.
Challenge 5 – Resurgent Interest in Natural Resource and Environmental Issues: Whether the issue is climate change, energy independence, biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, or sustainable design and planning, the country is in the midst of a resurgent interest in natural resource and environmental issues. CNR is uniquely positioned to make an impact through outreach programs in these areas.
[1] Adapted from Penn State Outreach Strategic Plan 2005–2008
[2] Adapted from Penn State Outreach Strategic Plan 2005–2008
The College of Natural Resources (CNR) Outreach program responds to five key external challenges that arise from both national trends affecting all of higher education in the coming years, along with the strategic emphases articulated in the University of Idaho Strategic Plan. [2]
Challenge 1 - Increased Focus on Outreach and Engagement in Higher Education: Higher education has increased its focus on the quality and measurement of outreach and engagement activities.
Challenge 2 - Serving the Public Good with Fewer Public Resources: Today, the relationship between higher education institutions and government is undergoing a profound restructuring. This situation has significant impact for Outreach.
Challenge 3 - Assessing and Meeting the Needs of Adult Learners: Over the past decade, the adult learner has become of increasingly strategic importance to higher education institutions. The Information Society is one marked by rapid and continuing change that requires professionals to refresh their education regularly in order for them, their organizations, and their communities to remain competitive. This has profound implications for our approach to outreach. In particular, distance education will play an increasingly important role in the delivery of effective outreach programs and activities in the future.
Challenge 4 - Proactively Addressing Changing Needs and Demographics of Citizens and Communities: The trend toward viewing higher education as a private good also means that stakeholders are demanding accountability and value for their dollars. Outreach has a tradition of assessing the needs of citizens and other stakeholders, and must continue to anticipate the changing needs of children, families, communities, and businesses.
Challenge 5 – Resurgent Interest in Natural Resource and Environmental Issues: Whether the issue is climate change, energy independence, biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, or sustainable design and planning, the country is in the midst of a resurgent interest in natural resource and environmental issues. CNR is uniquely positioned to make an impact through outreach programs in these areas.
[1] Adapted from Penn State Outreach Strategic Plan 2005–2008
[2] Adapted from Penn State Outreach Strategic Plan 2005–2008