The Planning, Research and Assessment (PRA) Office lives at the nexus of research, accreditation, assessment, and strategic planning that supports individual unit endeavors towards organizational excellence by making institutional data and strategic information easily accessible, clearly understood, and well-leveraged both within the University and across the Commonwealth. The PRA is dedicated to conducting quality research and assessment to inform the strategic planning process and decision making for Penn State Berks.

Penn State Strategic Plan

Vision

To elevate Penn State’s standing as a world-class institution, our Strategic Plan will help us transform the educational experience for our students, cultivate a welcoming community where everyone feels proud to be a Penn Stater, embolden our world-class research, champion health care, and deliver on the promise of our land-grant mission.

Penn State Berks 2025-2030 Strategic Plan Outline

Goal 1. Enhancing student success 

  • Objective 1.1. Academic advising, research advising, mentoring, and class experiences that prepare students for their academic and professional futures.
  • Objective 1.2. Students’ co-curricular experiences align their passions, aptitudes, and ambitions to lead them to successful next steps.
  • Objective 1.3. Student, staff, and faculty health and wellness are cultivated in a caring community focused on flourishing. 

Goal 2. Growing (inter)disciplinary research 

Objective 2.1. Grow research that positively impacts lives in the Commonwealth, the nation, and the world.

Goal 3. Increasing land-grant impact 

  • Objective 3.1. Leverage our assets and strategic partnerships to build resilient, sustainable communities for the betterment of the Commonwealth.
  • Objective 3.2. Amplify our academic enterprise through partnerships with business and industry, non-profit groups, communities, and residents.
  • Objective 3.3. Galvanize an engaged and effective network of advocates and investors in Penn State.  

Goal 4. Fostering Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) 

  • Objective 4.1. Address institutional barriers to close student outcome gaps.
  • Objective 4.2. Cultivate a deep sense of belonging for faculty and staff, with opportunities for professional development and an employee population that reflects the classrooms of tomorrow. Comment on the college's strategic plan

Future State Integrated Design Initiative (FSIDI)

Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses have launched an initiative to refine our collective vision for the Commonwealth Campus structure, in a process that broadly engages faculty, staff, students and external stakeholders. Committees at each of the 20 campuses are engaging in a two-part process, to first gather information and input, and to then design “conceptual models” featuring innovative ideas for a sustainable future for their campuses. 

Phases

  • Phase I of the FSIDI plan has identified Priority Areas for the University, and the concurrent Academic Portfolio and Program Review Process will help connect University academics with our mission and goals.

See Penn State Berks Phase I Report

  • Phase II is the "Design" phase, beginning in November 2024.
  • Phase III will include "Model Vetting," where the campus committees will seek input from the broader University community regarding conceptual models proposed by the committees.