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Strategic Plan

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Empowering Transformational Leadership and Future-Ready Talent

At the heart of Pamplin’s Strategic Plan is an unwavering focus on cultivating innovative, agile, and career-ready graduates equipped to lead in a rapidly evolving global economy. The plan emphasizes “Next-Gen Business Education” that integrates cutting-edge digital literacy, analytics, and real-world experience into every stage of the student journey, preparing graduates who are career-ready from day one and capable of making measurable impact in industry and society.

Our Mission

To provide a Next-Gen, STEM-based business education, conduct rigorous and relevant research, and create positive social impact through responsible behaviors.

Our Vision

To be a pioneering, world-class business school that transcends borders and harnesses the transformational power of business as a force for good, fostering innovation and integrity to improve quality of life. We strive to elevate the human condition and inspire a deep sense of purpose in our students, empowering them to drive positive change.

Strategic Focus Areas 

The Pamplin strategic plan was organized around five thematic areas: 

  1. Undergraduate Academic Excellence
    • Goal 1: Become a talent magnet for in state, out of state, and international students
    • Goal 2: Futher develop distinctive and advanced undergraduate programs that leverage College strengths and anticipate future business needs
    • Goal 3: Elevate Pamplin's status as top business school with a strong, compelling, and meaningful brand
  2. Graduate Academic Excellence
    • Goal 1: Provide impactful, sustainable, and regenerative graduate programs and offerings that address business needs and solve societal problems
    • Goal 2: Attract students that are best served by our unique graduate program offerings and will embody the Hokie-centric culture
    • Goal 3: Create an environment that fosters excellence in student learning and experience
  3. Overall Research
    • Goal 1: Achieve Research Excellence that is Recognized Both Within and Outside of the University for its Global Business and Societal Impact
    • Goal 2: Be an Integral and Integrated Part of the University’s Research Priorities, Portfolio and Endeavors
    • Goal 3: Lead and Engage in Research Efforts to Address Big Challenges Spanning Multiple Disciplines
  4. PhD Research
    • Goal 1: Establish the reputation as a top destination for PhD students who have the ability and motivation to achieve success in high-impact research, toptier journal publications, effective teaching, and exemplary service
    • Goal 2: Develop and deliver a flexible PhD curriculum that makes our students attractive to target institutions and gives them the intellectual capacity for long-term career success while recognizing and balancing the unique needs of each department
    • Goal 3: Increase top-tier, R1 PhD student permanent tenure track placements (per our target school list) by department
    • Goal 4: Create an engaged multi-faceted community that fosters long-term (professional career) scholarly success for our graduates
  5. Organizational Excellence
    • Goal 1: Enhance Organizational Culture and Employee Experience
    • Goal 2: Align Organizational Structures and Resources to Achieve Strategic Priorities and Operational Efficiency
    • Goal 3: Strengthen Internal and External Partnerships
    • Goal 4: Expand Pamplin’s Reach, Reputation, and Influence, both with existing (internal) stakeholders and cultivate new (external) stakeholders
    • Goal 5: Expand the use of technology and data to drive Pamplin’s mission and key priorities
A PDF overview of the College's strategic plan is available here