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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Biology

Strategic plan

The Department of Biological Sciences at Wayne State University is committed to advancing scientific discovery, education and community engagement. Our strategic plan outlines a dynamic vision to strengthen research excellence, enhance student success and foster an inclusive environment that supports diverse perspectives. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge research, we aim to address critical challenges in health, the environment and biotechnology. Our plan is focused on equipping students with the skills needed to excel in a rapidly evolving field, supporting faculty innovation and building partnerships that drive impactful science in Detroit and beyond.

Goal 1: Increase faculty to 32 tenured/tenure track faculty

  • Hire seven new tenure-track faculty members.
  • Acquire space for seven research laboratories.
  • Increase diversity of faculty to better reflect the communities of the university.

Goal 2: Increase graduate enrollment

  • Develop and promote AGRADE programs.
  • Maintain and increase domestic recruiting.
  • Incentivize faculty to provide GRA support.
  • Improve and increase the M.S. program.
  • Develop incentives for M.S. students to continue as Ph.D. students in our department.

Goal 3: Increase graduate student support through entrepreneurship

  • Partner with biotechnology and environmental companies to provide internships.
  • Provide incentives for graduate students to apply for external fellowships.
  • Secure additional training grants alone or in collaboration with other departments.

Goal 4: Develop stable funding for the purchase and maintenance of research equipment

  • Increase university core facility instrumentation in the department.
  • Build an endowment for department facilities.

Goal 5: Develop clear policies and incentives for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)

  • Promote best practices that sustain and support DEI.
  • Promote understanding among faculty, staff, grad students and undergraduates of issues relating to equity and social justice.
  • Increase professional development opportunities for faculty and graduate students to increase awareness of issues relating to DEI and social justice.

Goal 6: Develop a long-term vision for the Department of Biological Sciences

  • Hold a department retreat following the completion of this program review process.
  • Identify areas of Biological Sciences in which new faculty should be added.
  • Identify courses and program areas that should be added or reduced.