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Strategic Priorities and Goals

student in a kayak inspecting the tow tank carriage

It’s time to file our flight plan. 

We know the strengths we have today, the way we expect the world to evolve, and the how we want to serve society in that changing future.

We also have more ambition and ideas than bandwidth to pursue them… so we will need to decide where we intentionally focus our efforts to get where we want to go.

students looking at an engine up close
backend of a rocket on shoulders of team
group of graduates at commencement

We will amplify our strong research foundation rooted in fundamental AOE disciplines by establishing internal/ external partnerships to integrate adjacent technology advances, enabling us to pursue technology solutions that attack even bigger societal challenges.

  • Grow AOE research portfolio targeting  societal challenges.
  • Expand AOE research partnerships to pursue solutions to even more complex societal challenges.
  • Strengthen AOE research reputation to open opportunities to address societal challenges.

We will increase our AOE core academic offerings to serve evolving industry and student needs and interests by delivering innovative new programs, embedding digital and systems skills, and integrating practical experiential opportunities.

  • Modernize our delivery of academic knowledge.
  • Expand our technical offerings to equip students with the latest advanced skills.
  • Buoy the Ocean Engineering program with a swell of innovation.
  • Enrich the academic journey with practical experience.

We will unleash our innovation by proactively creating a magnetic “work-hard, play-hard” AOE brand and team environment for the department that attracts and welcomes creative and enthusiastic students and aerospace leaders to bring their ideas to join our cause.

  • Create and market a compelling AOE brand for the department that reflects our aspirational vision and bonds AOE community during Mitchell Hall construction.
  • Recruit and empower top student talent to enrich our AOE community and future AOE workforce.
  • Recruit and empower top academic/industry leaders to strengthen our AOE community and develop tomorrow’s AOE workforce.
  • Integrate students into the extended AOE Hokie Nation for mentoring, job transitions, life-long learning and professional networking.

We will augment our department operations by pursuing novel sponsorships to expand our crown jewel facilities, laboratory and computational capabilities as well as cultivate new technical offerings and increase staff support for research.

  • Target external sponsor support for development of key facilities/ capabilities.
  • Increase technical breadth and depth of research labs and content of lab courses.
  • Increase computational capabilities and capacity  to support research.
  • Increase staff support for research.

The journey we embark upon in the Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering at Virginia Tech is not merely a pursuit of knowledge; it is a commitment to shaping the future of exploration and innovation.  As we stand at the intersection of technology and human aspiration, we are driven by the same spirit of adventure that has propelled humanity to reach for new heights and achieve new depths of understanding. 

Our strategic plan is a roadmap that aligns our ambitions with the pressing challenges of our time, ensuring that we harness the power of emerging technologies to create sustainable solutions that resonate across the globe. We envision a future where our students and researchers are not only equipped with the skills to navigate complex systems but are also inspired to lead with purpose and integrity. By fostering a culture of collaboration and creativity, we aim to cultivate a community that thrives on curiosity and resilience, ready to tackle the unknown. 

As we continue to explore the vastness of the skies and the depths of the oceans, we remain steadfast in our mission to serve humanity, driven by the belief that our work can make a profound difference. Together, we will inspire the next generation of aerospace and ocean engineers to dream boldly, innovate fearlessly, and leave an indelible mark on the world, fulfilling our promise to Ut Prosim.