HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- President Robert Altenkirch is putting his stamp on the University of Alabama in Huntsville, unveiling today a new strategic plan to propel the school to a prosperous future.

At today's meeting of the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees on the UAH campus, Altenkirch outlined six university goals and five-point list of priorities.

Robert Witt, chancellor of the UA System, said while addressing the trustees that the UAH plan as "one of the best strategic plans I've ever seen."

Altenkirch, who took office in October 2011 following the departure of David Williams, took a year to analyze the university and consult with faculty and community leaders in composing the new plan for UAH.

"Huntsville was described by Forbes magazine as one of the top 10 smartest cities in the world. This community is a nationally renowned center for brainpower," Altenkirch said in a press release. "The University of Alabama in Huntsville has long assumed a critical role in the intellectual development of our community, and this plan will ensure that we continue providing leadership to sustain and expand high levels of achievement in education and research, particularly in those areas crucial to our economy."

University strengths Altenkirch intends to build upon include the recognition of the school as a Tier 1 research university, according to the Carnegie Foundation. UAH also has four research programs in the top 10 in the nation and 14 in the top 20, according to the National Science Foundation.

In addition, UAH is one of only two public universities in Alabama rated very competitive by Barron's Profiles of American Colleges.

The school has also developed a new mission statement: "The University of Alabama in Huntsville is a research-intensive, internationally recognized technological university serving Alabama and beyond. Our mission is to explore, discover, create, and communicate knowledge, while educating individuals in leadership, innovation, critical thinking, and civic responsibility and inspiring a passion for learning."

* Be recognized internationally as an institution to which government, industry, and academic leaders turn for opinions on societal issues, especially those involving technology

* Strengthen and maintain a financial, physical, and personnel infrastructure that supports continuous quality enhancement and the pursuit of excellence in research and education

* Ensure an environment where curiosity, discovery, innovation, and entrepreneurship are valued

* Produce graduates that are able to address problems through integration of knowledge across disciplines

* Foster an environment of community service and engagement and global experience and understanding

* Be unique in opportunities to explore and experience the relationships among technology, culture, and the arts

The strategic priorities established by UAH

* Recruit and retain an outstanding and diverse student body of broad interests, and of sufficient size to ensure a rewarding campus life experience.

* Recruit, develop, and retain an outstanding and diverse faculty and staff.

* Broaden and expand the research portfolio.

* Engage more fully our stakeholders: Alumni, the community, elected officials and global partners, and

* Be a recognized leader in selected areas of education and research.

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