The Strategic Plan for Mewbourne College identifies the vision, objectives, priority areas and roadmap for the college's future success. This plan informs the college's long-term funding priorities and infrastructure investments, guides engagement with industry, influences faculty hiring priorities and helps faculty members organize teams for significant research initiatives.
The Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy empowers society to thrive now and for future generations through: (i) meaningful dialog that boosts Earth and energy literacy and (ii) collaborative multidisciplinary education and research to address complex energy and environmental challenges and opportunities.
The Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy educates scientists and engineers and creates knowledge of Earth’s past and present to navigate a future that meets societal needs for both energy and a livable environment.
Mewbourne College is built on the strength of its people. This pillar focuses on cultivating a welcoming and supportive environment where students, faculty, staff and community partners can grow and succeed. We recognize that student success is deeply connected to having access to: opportunity, world-class education, and experiences that change lives and shape careers.
We also know that faculty and staff thrive when they are empowered to pursue meaningful research, creative teaching and impactful service. Through holistic support systems, continuous learning opportunities and a culture rooted in mutual respect, we are creating a community where every individual can lead, learn and belong.
To meet the moment and shape the future, Mewbourne College must build on its legacy of academic and research excellence. This pillar outlines our commitment to raising the visibility and impact of our programs on a national and global scale. With deep roots in oil and gas education and research, a strong and growing presence in Earth sciences and energy innovation, we are uniquely positioned to lead.
By aligning our efforts with key American Association of Universities (AAU) benchmarks and expanding our research capacity, we strengthen our role in advancing the University’s broader aspirations. This work ensures that Mewbourne College continues to drive discovery, attract world-class talent, and define excellence in Earth and energy science and engineering.
The energy and Earth sciences landscape is changing rapidly, and Mewbourne College is leading the way. This pillar focuses on broadening our academic and research portfolio to meet new demands, explore emerging disciplines and prepare students for dynamic careers across the Earth and energy spectrum.
By growing programs in areas such as geothermal energy, enhanced oil and gas recovery, paleobiology, critical minerals, paleoclimate and carbon storage, we’re creating new opportunities while continuing to deliver exceptional education in our foundational disciplines. This approach ensures that Mewbourne graduates are well-equipped to lead in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
Solving today’s most pressing challenges in energy and the environment requires collaborative solutions. This pillar highlights Mewbourne College’s leadership in building cross-campus partnerships that bring together the full breadth of OU’s expertise.
While we are long recognized for excellence in petroleum engineering, geosciecnes and environmental Earth sciences, sustainable progress depends on multidisciplinary approaches. Through initiatives like the Sustainable Energy Systems program and the university-wide energy strategy, we are helping shape a more unified and impactful vision for energy and Earth science—one that draws strength from collaboration across disciplines, colleges and communities.
Our core values drive our behavior and priorities – both strategically and operationally. They remind us of who we are and what motivates us.
WE VALUE PEOPLE, THE MUTUAL RESPECT OF OTHERS AND INTEGRITY.
Students, faculty, staff and alumni are the core of our college. Their efforts, engagement and ideas move our college forward. Uncompromising integrity, ethics and respect for each other creates strong partnerships needed to advance learning and facilitate discovery.
WE BELIEVE IN EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND RESEARCH THROUGH COLLABORATION AND ADAPTATION.
Broad collaboration from multiple perspectives contributes to the educational and research missions of the college in unique and valuable ways, producing innovative scholarship and solutions. We believe that expanding our educational and research offerings in new and exciting directions will foster innovation and prepare our students for a range of career paths.
WE BELIEVE THAT OPEN DEBATE LEADS TO EXCELLENCE.
Unfettered exchange and civil discussion of competing ideas and perspectives expand understanding, promotes inclusion and leads to excellence.
WE VALUE EDUCATION FOR THE FUTURE.
To meet the Earth- and energy-related challenges society faces, we prepare our students through curricula and activities that develop knowledgeable and critical thinkers and problem solvers.
