FY 2023-28

Updated: 5/2024

Research and Innovation

Maximize impact and entrepreneurship.

We produce the most impactful aerospace engineering sciences research in the U.S.

Vision

Smead Aerospace conducts cutting-edge research and innovation that advances the frontiers of knowledge and technology in aerospace engineering and related fields. Our faculty are internationally recognized as leaders in aerospace research that contribute to the current and future national security, economic development, and social welfare of the nation and the world. We attract and retain the best faculty, staff, students, and partners who share our vision and values.

In the next five years, we will:

  • Be the preeminent department addressing the grand interdisciplinary challenges of aerospace engineering and sciences. 
  • Be in key national leadership positions to influence the direction and agenda of aerospace research.
  • Be a premier academic partner for government and industry around the world.
  • Be a leader of entrepreneurial aerospace ventures that impact our society.

To enable this vision, we will:

  • Place 25% of our faculty in key national leadership positions (e.g., National Academy Advisory Boards, NASA Advisory Council) to influence the direction and agenda of aerospace engineering research.
  • Pursue at least three new or evolved research thrusts in key future aerospace research areas that will have impact in 20+ years.
  • Identify and invest in three to five department or college-led interdisciplinary and global research themes that increase our research impact by deepening our collaboration across the college, campus, and institutes.
  • Invest in expanding, upgrading, and maintaining our facilities to meet the evolving needs and standards of our research projects.
  • Establish and deepen embedded/integrated working relationships with five key agencies and organizations in the aerospace sector, such as the Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, NASA, Department of Energy, etc.
  • Increase entrepreneurial opportunities for our faculty, staff, and students by providing more support, resources, and incentives for technology transfer, commercialization, and start-up creation.

Education

Expand access and opportunity.

We provide high-quality education that prepares students for the aerospace challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

Vision

Smead Aerospace fosters a culture of excellence in our educational programs equipping our students to become life-long learners with strong technical skills, ability to think like an engineer and/or scientist, communication skills, teamwork skills, ethical values, and global awareness. This excellence occurs both in the classroom and in our world-class experiential learning facilities. We embrace multiple modalities of delivery and opportunities for educational engagement. AES is the place where the top aerospace undergraduate and graduate students become the next generation of leaders in industry, academia, and public service.

In the next five years, we will:

  • Be the aerospace department of choice for undergraduate and graduate students committed to addressing the most critical challenges in our field. 
  • Be the academic home for our students to thrive and complete their aerospace degrees.
  • Be a department that embraces and advances experiential innovations and use of technology to improve student outcomes.
  • Be a leading member of the international aerospace education community.

To enable this vision, we will:

  • Enhance experiential learning in our curriculum that will expose our students to the latest technologies and industry needs in aerospace engineering (e.g., 3D printing, simulations, visualizations, and data analytics).
  • Incorporate modern technology in the delivery and assessment of our courses to enhance the student experience and our new curriculum.
  • Improve student retention by supporting college and campus-level community-building initiatives providing excellent academic support, advising, and counseling services to our students.
  • Increase industry’s engagement with all students beyond senior projects by creating more opportunities for co-ops, internships, mentorships, and capstone projects.
  • Expand our educational offerings and outreach through new courses and programs that cater to the emerging needs and interests of our current and prospective students and working professionals who want to update/expand their skills, such as online degrees, certificates, minors, and concentrations.
  • Conduct engineering education research to identify best practices and innovations in pedagogy and curriculum design.
  • Increase and monitor the placement of AES graduates in academic and industry leadership positions in the U.S. and abroad.
  • Increase our outreach efforts to K-12 schools and the public to inspire the next generation of aerospace engineers and scientists.
  • Establish partnerships with universities abroad to facilitate “study abroad” and research internships for our students, and to leverage these collaborations for graduate student recruitment and research cooperation.
  • Increase the exposure of our students to global issues and perspectives in aerospace engineering through guest lectures, seminars, and online courses.

Inclusion

Build community through engagement.

Our impact becomes stronger by embracing and cultivating the unique contributions of all community members.

Vision

Smead Aerospace is steadfast in our commitment to make aerospace education and research broadly available across demographics and geographies. We aim to recruit, retain, and support outstanding students, faculty, and staff, including those who have been historically underrepresented in the field. We seek to broaden access to the field of aerospace by using modern teaching methodologies and delivery methods. We will hold our faculty, staff, and students accountable to building an inclusive environment. We will increase the impact of our aerospace education by broadening access to our curriculum and creating new partnerships. AES is wholly committed to creating and maintaining an environment where all students, faculty, and staff feel a sense of belonging, are welcomed, and valued.

In the next five years, we will:

  • Be a department that attracts and retains the best talent from diverse backgrounds, both domestic and international. 
  • Be a community where the domestic student, staff, and faculty populations resemble Colorado’s demographics.
  • Be a community that transcends individual differences to actualize the vision of aerospace excellence and inclusion.
  • Be the Colorado leader for aerospace education through outreach and partnerships with diverse institutions and organizations.

To enable this vision, we will:

  • Assess internal department communication to our students, faculty, and staff and evolve communication pathways for improved flow of information.
  • Implement inclusive admissions, hiring, and retention practices that attract and retain the best talent from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
  • Establish three new endowed chairs, professorships, or fellow positions to support faculty retention.
  • Fully endow the three department PhD graduate assistantships.
  • Educate faculty and staff on how the department runs and how decisions are made to increase transparency and accountability.
  • Educate all members of our community on inclusion principles and practices to increase awareness and sensitivity.
  • Develop strategic relationships with five Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) or rural institutions to increase the diversity and inclusion of our educational and research community.
  • Be a national leader supporting international students who wish to secure aerospace-relevant employment in the U.S.
  • Collaborate with other departments, colleges, universities, industry partners, and community organizations that share our vision and values.

College Strategic Vision