Constructing the futureStrategic Plan


A New Strategic Plan for the 21st Century

The 21st Century is the era of modern biology, heralded by an explosion of available genetic information, dramatic advances in technology and instrumentation, and new scientific methodologies focusing on the interconnectivity and complexity of living systems.

Our Strategy

Hiring and retaining an outstanding faculty is of central importance to the future of the Department. It is the faculty who lead our enterprises of discovery, learning, and engagement. A strong faculty attracts excellent students, enhances the quality of their educational experience, and brings national and international prominence to the Department and the University.

Key Goals

  • Improve Infrastructure
  • Construct a state-of-the-art facility, The Center for Biological Structure
  • Rebuild Lilly” endowment for renovation of laboratories and classrooms in Lilly Hall
  • Complete Lindsey field station and improve ecological study sites
Increase Research Capacity
  • Establish a shared instrumentation facility, including clusters for optical microscopy, computational biology, bioinformatics, genomics, and population analysis
  • Recurring infrastructure support upgrades
  • IT/Computing support to enable systematic upgrades of teaching and research computing as well as subscription to key electronic journals
Foster Faculty Excellence
  • Junior Faculty Awards to foster the effective integration of learning, discovery, and engagement
  • Endowment for the department’s first Endowed Faculty Chair
Enhanced Learning
  • Increase summer research internship opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students
  • Add Study Abroad scholarships
  • Increase support for the Biology Resource Center
Ensure Accessibility for All Students
  • Provide more Undergraduate Merit Scholarships
  • Provide more Graduate Student Fellowships
  • Provide more fellowships for students from underrepresented groups
Off and Running!

We are very grateful to alumnus Dr. Arthur Elliott and his wife Pamela for their planned gift commitment of $650,000 for future graduate fellowships. This gift, which will be given as a part of their estate, will benefit future generations of biology students. Cash gifts that will increase the fellowships available next year are still strongly encouraged!

The Department of Biological Sciences seeks to maintain a diverse population of faculty, staff and students through aggressive recruiting and enhanced support services. Read More