Augusta University unveils next strategic plan

Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel, PhD, and members of his executive cabinet hosted a town hall March 17 to present the current draft of the 2022-27 Strategic Plan and hear feedback from the campus community.

“The process for developing this strategic plan has been one of the best I have been involved with,” Keel said. “As we move forward to finalizing our strategic plan, it is important for us that our pillars are at the forefront of how we achieve our goals, but it is also important for us to have these discussions where input from members of our university can be included.”

Keel was joined in presenting by members of the Advisory/Steering Team, including Executive Vice President of Administration and Chief of Staff to the President Dr. Russell Keen, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. Neil MacKinnon, and Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness Mickey Williford. Keen and MacKinnon serve as the project sponsors, providing authority and resources, and Williford is the project leader, accountable for project results.

Also on the team is Senior Planning and Accreditation Coordinator Brittany Cipollone of Institutional Effectiveness, who manages daily efforts and provides support, facilitation and status updates.

Highlighted in the plan are the aspirational imperatives of having 16,000 students enrolled by 2030, achieving a top-60 NIH ranking by 2030 and earning Carnegie Community Engagement Classification by 2026.

The strategic priorities also align with the university’s core values, including learning, community, discovery, stewardship and student success, with interwoven priorities of innovation, engagement, diversity, equity and inclusion.

Each strategic priority includes distinguishing objectives and strategic actions aimed at achieving the goals of the strategic plan.

Those in attendance, both in person and online, were able to share feedback and ask questions — but feedback will not be limited to what was received during the town hall. Members of the Augusta University community are encouraged to submit additional input through Thursday, March 24. The strategic actions are available on the planning website for additional review.