By Amber Kennedy

Starting this January, the direction of will be guided by the recently adopted 2023-2028 strategic plan, titled “Forward-Focused: Where Innovation Meets Possibilities.”

The plan was approved by the Board of Visitors at its Dec. 9, 2022, meeting, culminating more than a year of work by campus stakeholders to chart a course for the University. To start the process, focus groups were organized in late 2021 by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment to gather recommendations and concerns. Nearly 300 individuals contributed to the plan’s development through service on a total of 12 groups. They identified 30 goals and 103 strategies across seven focal areas.

The committees also defined the University’s core values: accessibility, collaboration, excellence, global engagement, inclusion, innovation and respect.

To fund new initiatives outlined in the plan, a Monarch Investment Fund totaling $25 million has been established, with a contribution of $5 million for each year of the five-year plan.

“The title, ‘Forward-Focused: Where Innovation Meets Possibilities,’ is a direct reflection of the bold and innovative goals and strategies that were brought forth by those directly involved in thinking and rethinking the future of our great institution,” said President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., in a message to campus. “As this important work has generated great excitement and opportunity for Monarchs, the future has boundless possibilities!”

The strategic plan focuses on seven areas:

Each focus area has defined goals, strategies and key performance indicators (KPIs) that will help the campus community track the plan’s implementation and progress. The KPIs include baseline and target metrics, along with assignment to the responsible party and timeline. Progress reports will be developed and shared twice a year to provide an update on the status of exceeding, meeting or missing each KPI.

Explore the strategic plan.