Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium 2018-21 Strategic Plan

Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium (MASGC) staff used a multipronged approach to solicit and synthesize input from the people the program serves and professionals in the MASGC extension, outreach and education programs. The staff used the following sources of information to inform the strategic plan. The MASGC Advisory Council has 20 members who represent coastal and marine industries, non-governmental organizations and local, state and federal agencies. The Advisory Council met in March 2016 to discuss what people expect from MASGC; the unique capabilities of MASGC; the science, technology, economic, environmental, societal or other trends that will shape the future of MASGC over the next 10 years; and the top three problems MASGC should address using its research, extension, outreach and education capabilities.External Stakeholder InputThe MASGC communications coordinator sent an email to more than 2,100 MASGC contacts asking them to answer the question, “Over the next 5-10 years, what coastal and marine problems should MASGC focus on solving?” The question was also shared through MASGC social media (on Facebook and Twitter). Eighty-five people provided in-depth answers to this question.Extension, Outreach and Education InputIn July 2016, the MASGC extension, outreach and education staff were sent an online survey to provide input on the MASGC strategic plan. This was followed-up with a day-long, in-person meeting with extension and outreach staff on August 18, 2016, to discuss MASGC areas of strength and opportunities for the next strategic plan. The MASGC director and MASGC education director met in September to inform the development of this strategic plan. NOAA Award NA14OAR4170098 A/O-37 MASGP-17-006