The Department of Astronomy has a number of goals in place to advance frontier research that is revolutionizing our understanding of the Universe and to secure the Department's place among the top institutions in the field:
- Hire the best new faculty members and grow in frontier research areas that build on our unique strengths, while being open to new and interdisciplinary areas of great potential.
- Recruit the best graduate students and postdocs to maintain a thriving research program and compete with top Astronomy departments in the nation.
- Offer a research-centered experiential undergraduate program that engages students in STEM and transforms them into scientists, innovators, and leaders.
- Continue to provide researchers with access to cutting-edge research facilities: McDonald Observatory, the Texas Advanced Computing Center, and the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT), one of the world's largest future optical/infrared telescopes.
- Develop cutting-edge instrumentation for the Hobby-Eberly Telescope, GMT, and McDonald Observatory.
- Lead a high-impact education and public outreach program that impacts millions of people annually, brings scientific ideas to society and draws diverse young people into STEM fields.
- Foster a community that promotes the broader participation of under-represented groups in science.
- Leverage philanthropy, external relations, and support groups to advance our mission.
