New strategic plan to build upon 2010 plan

As West Virginia University begins to chart a new course for the next decade through the 2020 Strategic Plan, it will build off of the 2010 Strategic Plan.

The University has reimagined its mission, said University President James P. Clements at Monday's State of the University address.

"By 2020, West Virginia University will grow in national research stature, thereby enhancing educational attainment, global engagement, diversity and the vitality and well-being of the people of West Virginia," Clements announced as the new vision statement for WVU.

With the previous 2010 Strategic Plan, the University was focused on being "a student-centered learning community meeting the changing needs of West Virginia and the nation through a commitment to excellence in teaching, research, service and technology," as the 2010 Strategic Plan states.

In the next decade, WVU will focus on diversity, inclusion and globalization as well as focusing on research, Clements said.

"The last plan was a great plan, but this is kind of a road map for the future," he said. "I think the time for this is good."

Whereas the 2010 Strategic Plan was focused on attracting and graduating high-quality students, the 2020 Strategic Plan goal will focus on engaging undergraduate, graduate and professional students in a challenging academic environment.

The 2010 Strategic Plan hoped to accomplish this by enhancing the academic programs, expanding support networks to increase graduation rates and marketing WVU's strengths.

The new 2020 Strategic Plan will meet the No. 1 goal by improving retention and recruitment rates, immersing students in a global and diverse environment and strongly partnering with elementary and secondary schools, Clements said.

Other goals of the 2010 Strategic Plan included:

Recruiting and retaining high-quality faculty committed to the land-grant mission.

Enhancing the educational environment for student learning.

Promoting discovery and exchange of knowledge and ideas.

Improving West Virginia's health, economy and quality of life.

The new 2020 Strategic Plan builds off of these goals and is now a "blueprint for our future," Clements said.

In the next decade, the University must dedicate itself to research, he said, adding that the second goal of the 2020 Strategic Plan is to "excel in research, creativity and innovation."

This goal ties the entire plan together, Clement said.

"A strong research agenda at WVU reinforces the education mission," he said. "Research, creativity and innovation are the foundation for our plans for the future."

So far this fiscal year, the University has secured $49 million for research, which puts it $21 million ahead of this same time last year, Clements said.

Other goals of the new 2020 Strategic Plan include fostering diversity and an inclusive culture, advancing international activity and global engagement and enhancing the well-being and quality of life for the people of West Virginia.

Health Science Chancellor Christopher Colenda said the 2020 Strategic Plan is more "aspirational" than the 2010 Strategic Plan.

"We aspire to something that currently is greater than what we are," Colenda said. "The 2010 Plan was a strategic plan for the time and in that time there were lots of things that needed to get worked out."

The 2020 Strategic Plan reflects the current challenges to the University and also inspires members of the University to seek greater accomplishments, he said.

The 2010 Strategic Plan largely focused on the academic affairs of WVU's main campus, said Michele Wheatly, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

"This plan is ‘One WVU' so it involves partnerships with Health Sciences and also Potomac State and WVU Tech," Wheatly said.