UMD INFO College Mission, Strategic Plan, Values, History - College of Information (INFO)

UMD INFO College Mission, Strategic Plan, Values, History

Vision

We envision a world where information and technology break down barriers and create exciting new possibilities so that individuals, communities, and organizations can explore their full potential and enjoy an enriched quality of life – a world where information and technology can be fully leveraged to solve real-world problems and foster a culture of trust and respect.

Mission

We improve lives and opportunities for people through information. With groundbreaking research and innovative academic programs, we strengthen information institutions, foster responsible information use, increase information reliability, and ensure equitable access to information. We harness data and technology for social, economic, and environmental good. We prepare the next generation of information professionals and thought leaders. We harness information for the benefit of all.

Strategic Plan

The UMD INFO College’s 2019 strategic plan identifies four focus areas to guide research and academic growth:

  1. Support information institutions and infrastructures
  2. Increase trustworthy information
  3. Democratize discovery
  4. Support data and tech for social good

Full Strategic Plan

Values

At the UMD INFO College, we strive to achieve our mission by embracing and living our shared values:

Service to Society
  • Educate and support all, including those who are underserved and marginalized
  • Empower individuals and communities to make informed decisions
  • Help organizations operate more effectively and efficiently
  • Produce exemplary scholarship in information science and related fields
  • Be agents of change for good locally, at the state and federal levels, and globally
Creativity, Discovery & Innovation
  • Stay curious and open to new ideas and experiences
  • Create constantly, valuing learning from failure
  • Connect to sources of inspiration while remaining grounded in rigor
  • Advance new foundational knowledge and scholarship of the interplay of information, technology, and people
Develop & Empower People
  • Create an inclusive, equitable environment where students, staff, and faculty with different identities, abilities, and backgrounds can thrive
  • Empower colleagues by being present
  • Support others’ ideas and autonomy
  • Support shared and collaborative governance
  • Maintain transparent communication and accountability
  • Identify and remove barriers to achievement
Collaborative & Multidisciplinary
  • Work with others to create bigger ideas and have a larger and longer-lasting impact
  • Seek exposure to alternative ideas and perspectives
  • Be a catalyst in bringing together different groups and disciplines
Quality & Continuous Improvement
  • Be aware of new best practices and developments in our field
  • Engage in ongoing critical comparison to identify and implement improvements, including issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Frequently integrate new knowledge and assess its utility
  • Conduct a systematic assessment to inform evidence-based change
  • Develop relevant metrics, continually collect data, and measure trajectories
  • Exceed expectations of quality