Mission of the USU Department of Water, Earth, & Environmental Sciences

1. Contribute to workforce development of Earth and environmental scientists and educators by providing a student-centered learning environment, effective instruction and research opportunities
   
   • Emphasize high quality research and teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels
   • Recruit and reward faculty who are gifted educators and researchers
   • Encourage and support research by undergraduate and graduate students
   • Integrate field-based geology with analytical techniques
2. Contribute to the advancement of Earth and environmental sciences through both foundational and applied research
   
   • Maintain a high level of research funding to drive our research engine and attract the brightest and best graduate students
   • Improve our research facilities to enhance our research and teaching mission
3. Provide courses for a diversity of students as well as cognate courses for related programs with the purpose of increasing geoscience literacy
   
   • Provide Earth and environmental science education statewide, including through distance-delivery and online instruction
4. Promote an understanding of Earth and environmental science among the general public and with respect to the role of Earth and environmental science in everyday life
   
   • Engage in geoscience outreach and advocacy to the community and K-12 schools
   • Develop museum and local-geoscience educational opportunities
5. Maintain connections with our alumni and Earth and environmental science partners
   
   • Foster a diverse professional network through constructive relationships with alumni, friends, and colleagues
   • Seek feedback from outside the university to update and improve our department