University of New Hampshire
PAE-2: Strategic Plan

The 2010 UNH Strategic Plan, "The University of New Hampshire in 2020: Breaking Silos, Transforming Lives, Reimagining the University," recognizes the interdisciplinary nature of sustainability. The Plan describes the formation of a Sustainability "Academy" that would extend the University’s innovative and collaborative work in sustainability for both on- and off-campus audiences through programming that focuses on the challenges and opportunities of sustainability that lie at the intersection of the sciences, humanities, and engineering.

Inclusive excellence: The 2010 UNH Strategic Plan recognizes the importance of working to make UNH more inclusive and diverse. This translates to increasing efforts to develop new opportunities for UNH students to work and study at institutions around the country and to experience new cultures. UNH will also "redouble our efforts to recruit a more diverse faculty and staff," such as through faculty exchanges with different institutions. The plan also describes the formation of a Sustainability "Academy" that would extend the University’s innovative and collaborative work in sustainability for both on- and off-campus audiences through programming that focuses on the challenges and opportunities of sustainability that lie at the intersection of the sciences, humanities, and engineering.

The Strategic Plan recognizes that the University can and should be the primary engine for sustainable economic growth in the state and region. This is perhaps best expressed by the recent development of the "Green Launching Pad." The concept of the Green Launching Pad is to connect entrepreneurs and private industry with technical, scientific and business faculty and students at UNH and statewide to successfully launch new green businesses. The goal is to launch a competitive “green” energy technology commercialization program, which is accessible to NH entrepreneurs, businesses, and innovators. Projects funded under this program will specifically address commercialization of energy efficiency, energy conservation, renewable energy, and/or sustainable energy projects, programs, services, or techniques that will quickly lead to energy savings and emissions reductions and business and employment growth. The Green Launching Pad will bring together and support interdisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, economists, faculty, entrepreneurs, and others. They will work to accelerate the development of new “green” businesses and growth of existing businesses that will directly reduce energy use and carbon emissions while creating new jobs and economic opportunities. The teams will broaden the use and applicability of commercially available energy efficiency and carbon reducing products and services.

Green Launching Pad is a strategic partnership of University of New Hampshire and New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning, with funding from U.S. Department of Energy (ARRA). The project duration is two years.

UNH Cooperative Extension Mission Statement: UNH Cooperative Extension provides New Hampshire citizens with research-based education and infor- mation, enhancing their ability to make informed decisions that strengthen youth, families and communi- ties, sustain natural resources, and improve the economy (UNH Cooperative Extension Strategic Plan 2007-2012).