Strategic Plan 2026-30 (DRAFT)

Refine and advance our innovative programs and curricula to anticipate the evolving needs of the workplace and embrace the diverse aspirations of our vibrant student community.

Expand access to higher education opportunities for all students, including first-generation, Pell-eligible, adult, online, transfer and international learners.

Systematically address barriers, including those related to mental health and wellness, to improve student retention, timely completion of degrees, and equitable outcomes.

Champion teaching effectiveness by embracing evidence-based pedagogical practices that ignite student curiosity, foster retention and spark engagement across all programs.

Amplify transformative learning opportunities, community engagement, research, scholarship and creative innovation to empower all students to lead and inspire change.

Integrate intentional curricular and co-curricular experiences to equip every student with essential workforce and life skills, fostering adaptability and global awareness for a rapidly evolving world.

Focus and expand research in key areas with significant societal and economic impact, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, national defense, manufacturing, education, health and wellness, and energy innovation.

Strengthen the ecosystem for innovation, entrepreneurship and technology transfer by fostering a culture of innovation, streamlining the translation of research into tangible benefits, and building strong partnerships with local businesses for economic development.

Invest strategically in research infrastructure, including modernizing facilities and support, and implementing financial models and policies that value coordination and incentivize high-impact research and scholarly activity.

Drive innovation through the strategic deployment of artificial intelligence, positioning the university at the forefront of AI adoption in higher education and yielding significant advancements in learning, discovery and operational excellence.

Elevate the university's standing in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences by advancing impactful public research, fostering interdisciplinary approaches and increased faculty national fellowship awards.

Cement UofL's leadership in performing arts scholarship and actively partner with arts organizations to promote the arts.

Drive cutting-edge research and innovation aimed at prolonging health span and improving overall health outcomes by focusing on what promotes health and not merely what treats disease.

Advance health care through significant research and development in medical devices, the use of artificial intelligence and robotics.

Invest to promote increased scholarship and collaboration between the physical sciences and biomedical research.

Achieve a baseline annual fundraising run rate of $100 million by 2028, and sustain a 3% compound annual growth rate thereafter.

Diversify funding sources to enhance long-term financial stability.

Build institutional capacity for successful fundraising by achieving campaign readiness by 2028 and launching the quiet phase of a comprehensive campaign by 2029.

Engage alumni by offering practical resources, promoting networking opportunities and sharing success stories of alumni impact.

Develop affinity programs targeted at creating pathways for alumni to connect and contribute by strengthening Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement’s relationships and collaboration with all colleges and units where alumni and parents connect with UofL.

Expand curricular and experiential community-based learning opportunities, such as paid internships and co-ops, service-learning projects and community-based research within academic programs.

Foster student involvement in faculty-engaged scholarship with community relevance by supporting student participation in research that addresses local needs and challenges.

Develop and implement impactful student outreach and service initiatives that provide valuable learning experiences while addressing community needs.

Deepen place-based engagement through expanded and intensified collaborative initiatives focused on improving quality of life and addressing community-identified needs.

Cultivate research partnerships aligned with community priorities by proactively developing and supporting collaborations between faculty and community partners to address pressing community challenges.

Strengthen university-wide partnerships aligned with community and regional priorities by proactively developing and supporting collaborations between faculty, students and business to address pressing economic and workforce challenges.

Align compensation adjustments with demonstrated contributions, leadership and training milestones through a transparent performance-based system.

Establish comprehensive plans to support tiered training including resources, materials and professional support in leadership, research, teaching and employee development.

Cultivate a culture of continuous growth and development by promoting the use of Talent Development Plans that enhance career clarity, individual reflection and alignment with long-term career goals.

Expand employee recognition programs to increase visibility and participation.

Enhance mentorship and relational networks through expanded cross-unit exchanges and community-building activities.

Provide comprehensive onboarding resources and inclusive leadership tools to department heads and supervisors.

Review and optimize university-wide wellness and well-being programs to enhance engagement and accessibility.

Develop a proactive employee outreach and awareness campaign to improve access to wellness, growth and recognition opportunities.

Support proactive organizational culture improvement through the regular use of biannual climate surveys and standardized retention and exit interviews.

Conduct thorough process audits and redesign workflows as part of a continuous improvement cycle to eliminate redundancies and enhance efficiency.

Digitize core administrative systems (HR, finance, academic and faculty affairs) with real-time, accurate dashboards for improved transparency.

Incorporate regular end-user feedback into all work-related technological implementations and policy changes to ensure continuous improvement and equitable adoption.

Secure the institution's financial future by implementing responsible fiscal practices, maximizing existing revenue potential, continuously reviewing and improving existing programs, and actively pursuing the development of innovative and mission-aligned new revenue streams.