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CAFLS Strategic Planning

Boundless Impact: Executive Summary

Our Priorities

The College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences (CAFLS) at Clemson University stands at a pivotal moment in our College’s more than 100-year history. As technology accelerates and innovative approaches to addressing crucial challenges in agriculture, forestry and life sciences gain momentum, CAFLS is in a position to lead in the various fields and sectors we serve. This strategic plan outlines how our College will build on CAFLS’ legacy by delivering transformational solutions and forward-thinking strategies to support the evolving needs of the communities we serve. Our plan identifies core priorities and strategies that will guide the College and our many departments and units in this effort, strengthening CAFLS’ impact in South Carolina and beyond.

Our plan is structured around six key priorities that focus our efforts, build on a renewed vision for our future and further our mission while advancing the values rooted in how we serve our College, university and state.

Priority 1

Deliver Innovative, Responsive Curricula and Experiences That Position Students for Success:

We are committed to ensuring our students graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed. Our focus on student success includes integrating applied learning experiences, developing and updating curricula to reflect the evolving and innovative fields they represent and pursuing opportunities that enhance students’ preparedness for industry demands.

Priority 2

Attract, Develop and Retain Exceptional Faculty and Staff:

The prioritization and care of our faculty and staff are imperative to our success. Investing in support and pathways for professional development will present opportunities for faculty and staff to lead, innovate and thrive in both the College and their professional careers. We are committed to developing policies and programs that enhance recruitment, retention and career advancement of our faculty and staff.

Priority 3

Leverage the College’s Statewide Footprint to Drive Innovation and Engagement:

As we expand our support and impact across the state, we will position ourselves as the trusted, innovative source of information for all communities. By leveraging existing assets and deepening engagement with our partners, we will elevate the College and its units as hubs of innovation and reinforce our role as the leading provider of unbiased, research-based information in South Carolina and beyond.

Priority 4

Conduct High-Impact Research That Meets the Needs of South Carolina:

In alignment with Clemson Elevate, the University’s strategic plan, we are committed to advancing the University’s efforts to increase research through dedicated support and action. With the talent and resources across our College, we are well-positioned to accelerate progress and amplify impact, producing research that contributes to University-wide outputs, drives innovation and delivers tangible benefits to the communities we serve and the broader economic landscape.

Priority 5

Foster Strategic Engagement and Build Trust With Stakeholders and Partners to Support Collaboration, Innovation and Impact:

Strengthening relationships with stakeholders – including industry leaders, state agencies, elected representatives, alumni, donors, key organizations and South Carolinians – is essential to the success of this plan. Deepening our collaboration with state and federal agencies and agricultural and natural resource organizations is especially important in reinforcing the value of our College. Similarly, active engagement with alumni and donors plays a vital role in supporting student success and advancing our service to the state. Expanding these partnerships will better position the College to create greater opportunities for students to gain applied skills and real-world experience to meet emerging industry demands, ensuring the success of this plan and, in turn, our College.

Priority 6

Prioritize Operational Excellence and Drive Efficiency Across the College:

Cultivating an open and collaborative culture across the College is essential to our commitment to fostering internal environments that operate efficiently and effectively at every level. By streamlining policies, aligning organizational structures, coordinating resources and enhancing existing communication, we will build a more integrated and cohesive CAFLS.

Summary

This plan includes clearly defined imperatives that guide our goals, supported by actionable strategies describing how we will accomplish each goal, and metrics to track our progress and success. Each strategy is also supported by a timeline for implementation. As we carry out this work, we are committed to being thoughtful, impactful stewards of our community and deeply invested in the success of the college and all those we serve.

This strategic plan represents the collective dedication and hard work of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and external partners. The collaborative process behind its development helped our College come together as one, capturing the innovative spirit of the CAFLS community and reflecting the needs and aspirations of the people we serve.

With this comprehensive plan in place, CAFLS is well-positioned to advance Clemson’s broader land-grant mission and make a lasting impact on South Carolina and its residents. Originally established to deliver practical knowledge to community and industry partners, CAFLS remains true to our roots, combining experiential and formal education while driving progress in agriculture, forestry and life sciences. Through a strong focus on student preparation, impactful research, effective Extension programming, regulatory programs and statewide outreach that transforms lives across 11 program areas, we are committed to strengthening our legacy by addressing the needs of every sector and community we serve.