Strategic Plan 2025-2030

The allure of exploration—whether reaching beyond Earth’s atmosphere or unlocking the mysteries of the ocean—is at the heart of why we aspire to careers in aerospace and ocean engineering. These fields offer opportunities to solve humanity’s greatest challenges, from national security and global connectivity to protecting our planet by developing renewable energy systems and creating resilient infrastructure that withstands natural disasters. For those drawn to these fields, our motivations are as vast as the skies and as deep as the oceans.

We are inspired to advance and apply cutting-edge technologies that will propel us to the stars. We see breakthroughs by exploring the convergence of technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced propulsion, energy storage, and smart lightweight materials to create next generation systems. We are enhancing our solutions through the use of digital engineering, leveraging advanced simulations, real-time data analysis, rapid prototyping, and iterative design processes that enable us to visualize complex systems and predict outcomes with unprecedented accuracy, ensuring that our contributions are both impactful and sustainable. The prospect of hands-on experimentation testing rockets, piloting underwater robots, and deploying sensors in extreme environments appeals to the adventurer and innovator within each of us. For many, our choice is fueled by a sense of purpose—the desire to make a difference in the world. By enabling human exploration of Mars, designing quieter, cleaner aircraft, or conserving marine biodiversity, aerospace and ocean engineers embrace the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.

The Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering at Virginia Tech embodies these aspirations, fostering an environment where curiosity meets innovation and where students and researchers alike are inspired to achieve greatness. Driven by emerging technologies, societal challenges, and increasing global demands for innovation, we aim to capture human imagination in pursuit of discovery, creativity, and purpose anchored by our commitment to Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). By integrating cutting-edge research, hands-on experiential learning, and partnerships with industry and government, our department seeks to inspire the next generation to push boundaries and lead with purpose.