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Addressing the Space Coast’s future workforce challenges requires action, and we need to act now.
Since its founding at the dawn of the Space Age 65 years ago, Florida Tech has welcomed that challenge. This independent private university has grown into one of the nation’s leading STEM institutions, producing graduates in high demand in major industries, from aerospace to psychology to high-tech manufacturing. And Space Coast employees are also reaping the benefits.
But success and growth are not the same. Evolution must be intentional. It is time for Florida Tech to move forward with intentionality and focus.
A 2023 study from Georgetown University found that by 2031, 72% of jobs in the United States will require higher education and/or training. For STEM jobs, that percentage is certainly much higher.
Florida Tech’s newly launched strategic plan aims to help the university better supply the talent pipeline the Space Coast and beyond will need over the next decade. That’s why we call it “Together, Moving Forward, Endless Possibilities.” Florida Tech is a global thinker, ready to support the needs of industry and society by responsibly integrating science, technology, and other critical disciplines to advance knowledge across the universe. Educating resilient problem solvers and future leaders.
Our strategic plan is the starting point. From there, we will further develop that mission to provide the best in improving the human condition through innovative research and excellent education for graduates who relentlessly seek to understand and solve the critical challenges of the future. We will continue to develop as an institution.
I believe this is the highest mission of higher education.
more:Florida Tech’s new president, John Nicklow, steps on campus.
Our strategic plan is built on four fundamental principles, known as the Pillars of Success. A program that promotes innovation. Transformative partnerships. Optimized learning and social environment.
Words are powerful, and the most important one is “excellence.” innovation. conversion. optimization. They will move this journey forward.
I’d like to touch on two more ideas built into our plan: collaboration and a student-centered focus. They represent areas that I have cultivated throughout her 25-year career in higher education. These are ways we can be a special force within our community and provide the best educational experience in the country.
“Together, Forward, Endless Possibilities” was born through a collaborative and transparent process involving students and other internal and external stakeholders, reaffirming Florida Tech’s historical and current strengths, and reaffirming its future potential. anticipated opportunities and challenges.
more:Florida Tech’s new president congratulates students, then tells them to ‘get to work’
That’s why we’ve spoken with more than 700 students and 480 faculty and staff since summer 2023 as we develop this plan. It’s because of this collaboration that we met with Brevard County’s top employers and held one-on-one interviews with key partners and supporters. This is why his 1,200+ voices were shared to develop our new strategic plan.
But planning is just the beginning. Now let’s put it into action. How do we measure success? We use metrics called key performance indicators that we design to track our progress. These include goals that touch on key elements of “Together, Forward, Unlimited Possibilities,” such as increasing student persistence and graduation rates, research and development spending, and strengthening partnerships with government, business, and nonprofit organizations. It is.
We set a high bar for these metrics, but as we’ve seen in ways large and small since we got here last summer, our campus communities, partners, and supporters across the Space Coast are not afraid to rise to the challenge. I don’t. I am excited to embrace our future together with vigor and passion.
John Nicklow is the new president of Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne. The university’s strategic plan is available at www.fit.edu/strategic-plan/.
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