The University of Washington Information School (iSchool) is committed to ongoing strategic planning that aligns our focus and activities with the needs of the information and technology professions, trends in the information field, and the challenges of the economic realities facing higher education. “iSchool 2018” emphasizes the iSchool’s role in preparing the leaders and innovators of the 21st century global information economy and our commitment to making the world a better place.
Our Vision
The following scenario describes our community’s vision for the iSchool in the year 2018.
Today, in 2018, the University of Washington Information School is widely recognized as an outstanding place to work and learn. We support all members of our community, we celebrate our accomplishments, and we aspire to be a model for healthy work-life balance. Faculty, staff and students regard the iSchool as a working and learning environment where they can achieve their full potential. Diversity is integrated with our teaching, learning, research, recruitment and service. Our mission, to “make information work,” is understood and highly valued. So, too, is our commitment to making the world a better place for all people.
The iSchool is well-known and highly respected at the University of Washington as an innovator of higher education and for our research, academic and administrative collaborations across the University. UW schools and colleges regard the iSchool as a model for supporting student learning and job placement, integrating international and online students, and providing opportunities for student involvement in research. We demonstrate how, when necessary, technology and community spirit facilitate the effective accomplishment of our work across multiple locations, but we have plans to consolidate the iSchool to a single space on campus.
Researchers world-wide in multiple domains seek collaborations with the iSchool because of the high quality and positive impact of our work. Our corporate and community partners and our international colleagues understand the preeminence of the UW iSchool. They know that iSchool graduates are the best prepared and most sought-after information and technology professionals in the field and that iSchool research is improving the lives of people locally and globally. People want to employ our graduates because they are leaders and innovators. Alumni demonstrate leadership in their careers as information professionals and are committed to supporting the iSchool community.
Today, when people think about the University of Washington, they think about its world-leading Information School.
The future of the UW iSchool is boundless!
Strategic Visibility
To achieve this vision for the future of the School, it is essential that our faculty and students are visibly and strategically engaged in solving information-related problems of social and economic significance. Clear articulation of what makes the iSchool distinct, excellent and unique is becoming even more important with increased competition to attract top students to academic programs. For public universities in particular, there is an increased expectation that higher education must contribute directly to solving pressing challenges as well as preparing students to be competitive in the workforce. To differentiate our distinctive value and to advance our visibility and impact, the iSchool will invest in the development of four areas of strategic visibility: