Strategic Plan

School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences Strategic Plan

The School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences Strategic Plan 2023–2030 outlines a bold and forward‑looking vision for empowering students, strengthening academic excellence, and advancing our impact on the region and beyond. Rooted in the college’s mission and priorities, this plan focuses on expanding social mobility, fostering an inclusive learning community, and delivering interdisciplinary, market‑driven science education that prepares students for emerging careers. Through targeted investments in research, faculty, facilities, and student success initiatives, the school aims to solidify its position as a gateway to health and environmental professions, while elevating the college’s reputation as a premier destination within CUNY.

Strategic Plan 2023-30

Mission

The School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences (NBS) advances scientific knowledge and prepares students of all backgrounds to live and work as scientifically-literate citizens contributing to a modern society.

This mission includes:

  • Preparing interested students for careers in areas demanding a high level of basic and applied scientific knowledge.
  • Preparing all graduates of the college to engage with the ethical, legal and social issues surrounding scientific and technological developments.

themes

Themes are aligned with Brooklyn College priorities.

  • Advance social mobility of immigrant, economically disadvantaged and 1st-generation college students
  • Maintain college ranking as most diverse student body in nation fostering inclusion and an anti-racist agenda
  • Provide a dynamic, contemporary, interdisciplinary science education driven by market needs and pipeline to employment and career advancement
  • Build brand as Brooklyn’s gateway to professions related to healthcare and the environment
  • Elevate college rankings, finances and reputation as a destination campus among CUNY colleges

Goals

  • Grow enrollment in current and develop new market-driven programs
  • Maintain Carnegie Research Activity Designation: Research Colleges and Universities
    • Increase R&D expenditures from grants and contracts
    • Increase the number of graduating doctoral research students
  • Diversify and increase the number of full-time faculty
  • Commence campus facilities master plan and complete:
    • Renovation of science teaching labs
    • Renovation of science research labs
    • Renovation of key lecture halls and conference rooms
  • Replace obsolete lab equipment
  • Raise endowments to support programs and initiatives

Student-centered initiatives

  • Develop interdisciplinary knowledge, critical thinking, and communication skills
  • Promote personal responsibility, career development, values, and community service
  • Improve retention and time to graduation
  • Advance the undergraduate curriculum as required and develop new programs
  • Provide learning assistants and pedagogical tools
  • Provide more experiential learning, research, engagement, and study abroad opportunities
  • Establish and support the Office for Undergraduate Research
  • Develop additional articulation agreements with feeder community colleges and professional schools
  • Establish pipeline with Magner Career Center for jobs from regional employers seeking diverse graduates
  • Foster entrepreneurship

Faculty-centered initiatives

  • Increase startup funds for all new faculty hired
  • Procure maintenance contracts on key equipment
  • Develop bridge funds and internal seed grants
  • Develop additional faculty awards of excellence

Centers of excellence and initiatives fostering growth

  • Healthcare Careers High School to College Pipeline for Central and South Brooklyn
  • Center for Achievement in Science Education
  • Brooklyn College Cancer Center
  • Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica Bay
  • Aquatic Research and Environment Assessment Center

Brooklyn. All in.

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