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CMNS Strategic Plan 2025-2030

A collage of images showing faculty and students, including K-12 students, in various labs and doing fieldwork. Blocky, high impact text reads 2025-2030 Strategic Plan.

The University of Maryland's College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences (CMNS) developed this Strategic Plan to define a path forward for the next five years, prioritizing the ever-changing needs of our college and realizing new opportunities to grow.

Our Mission

Discover and disseminate scientific knowledge, educate students and support them in pursuing their goals, and engage with partners and communities to deliver positive societal impact.

Our Vision

Be a leading institution in computer, mathematical and natural sciences where current and future leaders can learn, collaborate and innovate to build a better future.

Our Core Values

  • EXCELLENCE: Uphold the highest standards of quality, professionalism, ethics and rigor in our teaching and research.
  • INNOVATION: Advance the frontiers of knowledge, education, science and technology.
  • IMPACT: Maximize the benefits to our students, Maryland and society at large.
  • COLLABORATION: Pursue interdisciplinary partnerships across campus, the nation and the world.
  • COLLEGIALITY: Foster a culture of respect, belonging and fairness.
  • WELL-BEING: Support mental, physical and social health across the college.
  • INTEGRITY: Cultivate transparency and social responsibility in everything we do.


Download the CMNS Strategic Plan 2025-2030

The CMNS Strategic Plan consists of four pillars, aligned with the university's Fearlessly Forward Strategic Plan, which uphold our core values and outline our main objectives for the future.

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Pillar 1: We Reimagine Learning

We will provide engaging learning experiences with curricula grounded in real-world needs to prepare our students for successful careers.

Objectives:

  • INTEGRATE more real-world problems into curricula, making coursework more relevant and empowering students to build and apply critical thinking skills to problems within their studies and beyond.
  • ENRICH student learning beyond the traditional classroom experience so that students can better engage with and apply concepts and subject matter.
  • IMPLEMENT innovative, evidence-based teaching and research approaches by engaging expertise across CMNS units (including the CMNS Teaching and Learning Center), other UMD schools and colleges, and external partners.
  • SUPPORT students in tailoring their education to pursue their passions and build on their strengths.

 

A young woman and a young man in a biochemistry lab, surrounded by lab equipment.

Pillar 2: We Advance Scientific Discovery and Address Humanity's Grand Challenges

We will pioneer research that advances the frontiers of science, generates new knowledge and delivers impactful solutions to society’s greatest challenges.

Objectives:

  • PIONEER groundbreaking research to build scientific foundations needed to inform new discoveries and solutions to society’s emerging and future challenges.
  • FOSTER multidisciplinary collaborations to holistically address the complexity of society’s most significant challenges.
  • BUILD CMNS recognition as a leader in science whose faculty are sought-after thought leaders at state, regional, national and international levels.
  • COMMUNICATE the importance and impact of CMNS research to inform decision-making and build public trust in science.
  • EXPAND and MAINTAIN the technology and facilities necessary for advancing both basic and applied research.

 

Members of the Maryland Mesonet group erecting a new weather-monitoring tower in an open, grassy field.Pillar 3: We Partner to Advance the Public Good 

We will foster collaboration across the university and with government, industry, nonprofits and other partners to address the needs of our community, accelerate cutting-edge research and expand opportunities for our students.

Objectives:

  • STRENGTHEN and FORGE partnerships with government entities and national and international nonprofits to enhance research, inform policy and decision-making, and address the needs of local and national communities.
  • COLLABORATE with the private sector to accelerate research in emerging industries and the translation and adoption of CMNS innovations.
  • WORK with organizations across Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., to create opportunities for CMNS students and graduates while meeting the region’s workforce demands and bolstering the region’s economy.
  • EVALUATE external CMNS programs to ensure that they continue to have a positive, substantial impact on the communities they support.

 

Dean Amitabh Varshney, professors and students standing behind an elementary school-aged boy using a laptop in the Iribe Center.Pillar 4: We Invest in People and Communities 

We will support and celebrate our expanding body of students, faculty, and staff and ensure they have the tools to succeed and opportunities to grow.

Objectives:

  • FOSTER a culture that values and respects all perspectives across faculty, staff and students from different backgrounds.
  • ENRICH professional development opportunities for staff, students and faculty to support their personal growth.
  • CELEBRATE professional and educational achievements and foster a culture of excellence in the CMNS community.
  • ENSURE CMNS has appropriate staff resources and infrastructure to support growing numbers of faculty and students.
  • ENHANCE the accessibility of both virtual and physical programs to expand engagement in and reach of STEM education.