Contents
Cal Poly Pomona

Mission and Strategic Plan

Vision

A leader in understanding the natural and human systems that underlie the agricultural sciences, harnessing that knowledge to improve the quality of life, and educating the leaders of today and tomorrow.

Mission

To pursue an integrated approach to the discovery, dissemination and application of knowledge that embraces food and fiber production, distribution and consumption that will advance the quality of life for Californians through special emphases on the urban context, contemporary lifestyles, product safety, and social and environmental responsibilitiy.

Opportunities

College of Agriculture faculty have identified new avenues for development in teaching, research and outreach, including:

  • food safety and security - linking foods and nutrition, food science and technology, plant science and animal science, and food marketing and agribusiness management
  • urban agriculture – linking plant sciences, animal sciences, and agribusiness and food industry management
    • shifting emphasis from production agriculture to urban and companion animals, animal and veterinary science education, sustainable landscapes, hydroponic production, biotechnology and urban horticulture and forestry
    • community nutrition in a diverse ethnic context
    • mass customization and sustainability in apparel
    • preparing agriculturalists to teach in an urban environment
    • social responsibility, including sustainability in an urban context - linking all Ag programs
    • a ‘New Model’ Farm for industry and public education on food and green energy

Realizing these and other opportunities with the aid of stronger Industry Partnerships and enhanced outreach programs that invite the surrounding community to participate with us on campus will help make Cal Poly Pomona the school of choice for students statewide and nationwide seeking to study Urban Agriculture.

 

In serving the needs of the agricultural, food and apparel (AFA) sectors, many of the disciplines in the College of Agriculture share an applied professional focus that fill critical gaps in provision for development of specialized human resources and research.  This is a distinct strategic direction and culture which differs sharply from that of the pure sciences and of business in terms of curricular design and delivery, and in research orientation.

As elements of the ‘traditional economy’, these sectors face unique challenges in attracting specialized human resources to support their development.  Over the last few decades they have experienced radical changes with the infusion of new technologies, the emergence of sophisticated mass distribution channels, climatic change, the globalization of markets and the threat of bioterrorism.  Effectively responding to meet the above needs requires the dedicated leadership of a college dean who can act as an effective champion.  These challenges requires a discrete academic unit with a strategic focus that provides the necessary sensitivity to the sector’s needs, can take a systemic perspective, and deploy effective integrated responses, with a more measurable impact.

The College believes it is well-positioned to meet the expanding demand for qualified graduates in highly specialized fields within the agricultural food, fiber, apparel and animal industries.  The strong enrollment growth over the last 10 years reflects the College’s determination and ability to adapt to changing educational needs and is learning centered.  It also recognizes the need for further change and has continued to develop a vision for its future.

Strategic Plan

College of Agriculture Strategic Plan 2006 - 2007 (pdf)