DEVELOPING AN INITIAL PLAN FOR A CENTER IN PUBLIC HORTICULTURE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

Abstract

Universities are attempting to enhance the quality of their academic and research endeavors as competition increases for students, faculty, and funding. To further its mission of providing excellence in education, research, and extension, the University of Delaware (UD) has created a number of Centers and Institutes devoted to providing leadership to a particular field of study. Because of its unique location in the “hotbed of public horticulture,” UD is interested in establishing an interdisciplinary Center in Public Horticulture. The objective of this study was to create an initial plan for a Center in Public Horticulture at UD outlining its mission, goals, objectives, structure, and function. The plan resulted from an internal environmental assessment of the Plant and Soil Sciences Department at UD, an external environmental assessment of the field of public horticulture, and an analysis of existing Centers and Institutes at UD. This qualitative study utilized surveys, interviews, and focus groups with selected internal and external stakeholders from academia, the green industry, government, and public gardens. Internal stakeholders, in the resulting data, emphasized the Center's role in engaging undergraduate and graduate students and conducting relevant research. External stakeholders indicated that the Center may also focus on providing continuing education or certification programs to public horticulture professionals. The research regarding existing Centers and Institutes produced a variety of recommendations regarding the Center's structure, governance, funding, research activities, and partnerships and collaborations.