Strategic Vision

FY 2023-28

Updated: 5/2024

Research and Innovation

Pioneering research, improving human health.

We lead the development of interdisciplinary technology solutions to improve human health and quality of life.

Vision

CU Robotics is in a unique position to be an innovator in the robotics space as the 8th doctoral and 15th master’s program of its kind in the country and its proximity to Boulder as one of the world’s fastest growing hubs for technology and innovation. We seek to build national and international recognition for the program through capture of large multi-university collaborative grants, awards, honors and entrepreneurial and industry engagement.

In the next five years, we will:

  • Be a program with national recognition and research impact in robotics.
  • Be a program that attracts the top PhD students and faculty. 
  • Be a leader in local and national industry collaborations and entrepreneurial opportunities.

To enable this vision, we will:

  • Increase the number of internal and external academic collaborations. 
  • Identify key growth areas for robotics research and hire new T/TT faculty in these areas.
  • Increase the number of applications to local/national academic awards and professional society honors.
  • Increase the number of industry partnerships and collaborations.
  • Promote entrepreneurial work and the development of intellectual property among robotics faculty and graduate students (MS, PhD).

Education

Expand access and opportunity.

Leverage multidisciplinary expertise and innovative course modalities to build a self-sustaining program.

Vision

The Robotics Program is uniquely positioned to leverage the multidisciplinary expertise across departments and programs to provide degree offerings for a critical societal need and area of tremendous future growth in the workforce. We will grow the master’s student cohort through robust local and national industry outreach and by embracing multiple course delivery modalities. This in turn will provide a financial basis for increased doctoral student support.

In the next five years, we will:

  • Be a leading robotics program in terms of size, diversity and support.
  • Be an innovator in online course offerings for the robotics space.

To enable this vision, we will:

  • Ramp up to 50 MS and 50 PhD students by AY 2028-2029 (year 5 of program).
  • Offer 10 first year GRA/GTA positions from Robotics funding to incoming students by AY 2028-2029 (year 5 of program).
  • Welcome an initial cohort of students enrolled in an online MS in Robotics by AY 2028-2029 (year 5 of program).
  • Establish a robust professional MS program with substantial industry outreach.
  • Increase the number of instructors in key areas to support the educational mission.
  • Develop an online course strategy and implement by AY 2027-2028 (year 4 of program).

Inclusion

Build community through engagement.

Build a supportive and collaborative robotics ecosystem in the state of Colorado.

Vision

Robotics is an area of engineering that through visuals and demonstrations has the ability to connect and generate excitement in future and potential students. The CU Robotics Program seeks to build community through engagement and collaborations with student organizations, K-12 STEM programs, and professional groups and societies.

In the next five years, we will:

  • Be a program that cultivates collaborative relationships with student organizations, professional groups, and local and national societies.
  • Become a program with a strong notion of community within the robotics population that includes students, staff, and faculty.

To enable this vision, we will:

  • Improve and maintain connections to nearby minority institutions.
  • Increase engagement and outreach to international students. 
  • Coordinate events with larger statewide and national groups (FIRST Robotics) for on-campus demos and tours.
  • Improve communication and reputation of CU with local K-12 programs.
  • Connect with and support on-campus clubs and organizations related to robotics. 
  • Provide outreach opportunities for young faculty.