After months of planning, 91制片厂鈥檚 new strategic plan is in place.
Now 鈥渋t鈥檚 time to get to work,鈥� said university President Bret Danilowicz on Friday, Jan. 23, to an audience of students, faculty, staff, community partners and alumni gathered for the ceremonial launch of the six-year initiative at the Davis Auditorium inside the Douglas and Beatrice Covington Center for Visual and Performing Arts.
The plan, , spells out the university鈥檚 vision for 2026-2031 with a new, refined mission statement and themes that represent the common ideas, goals and values of the 91制片厂 community.
Shaping Tomorrow 鈥� Together is not simply a tagline, said Sharon Roger Hepburn, 鈥渋t captures how we got here.鈥�
Hepburn, a professor and chair of the university鈥檚 Department of History, co-chaired the planning committee with Angela Joyner, the vice president of Economic Development and Corporate Education. Their work began in September 2024 with a committee of students, faculty, staff, community members and administrators. The process kicked off with data gathering, listening and idea testing, which led to the development of a mission, vision, core values, goals and strategies.
Following nearly a year and a half of intensive work, the committee received final approval from the 91制片厂 Board of Visitors in December 2025.
President Bret shared details about the new plan during the event Friday morning.鈥�
鈥淲e began this process with a commitment to doing the work thoughtfully and inclusively,鈥� Hepburn said. 鈥淭oday we celebrate and begin implementation.鈥�
Joyner and Hepburn singled out numerous individuals who have been active in building the strategic plan. 91制片厂 Chief of Staff Ryan Bowyer will manage the plan鈥檚 implementation.
鈥淭his plan only matters if we bring it to life together,鈥� Hepburn said, encouraging those in the audience to engage with the plan鈥檚 website, which features updates and participation opportunities. 鈥淵our continued engagement is vital to achieving our goals.鈥�
Over the past two years, the 91制片厂 community has worked together on a strategic plan 鈥渢hat challenged us, focused us and ultimately strengthened us,鈥� said Danilowicz, who noted the plan is centered on four ambitious goals:
- Defining 91制片厂鈥檚 distinctive nature.
- Driving regional economic development.
- Stabilizing enrollment.
- Streamlining our resources to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
Accomplishments over those two years, the president noted, include sharpening the university鈥檚 identity as a 鈥渄eeply connected place and purpose鈥� and improving ways 91制片厂 operates to better serve its students and each other.
In that time frame, the university stabilized enrollment at a time of national uncertainty, an accomplishment that prompted the president to raise his right fist in the air and shout 鈥淲oohoo!鈥� to the delight of the audience.
鈥淭hose accomplishments are not just milestones 鈥� they are the foundation for everything we are about to launch today,鈥� the president continued. 鈥淵ou built that foundation. You made this moment possible. And I want to begin by saying thank you.鈥�
Addressing the gathering in the auditorium and those watching online, Danilowicz provided detailed insight into the plan鈥檚 six themes, one of which is culture of care.
鈥淲e want every Highlander to feel valued, supported and empowered to thrive,鈥� he said.
To accomplish that goal for students, 91制片厂 will 鈥渓everage innovative technologies and support tools to proactively connect them with the services and resources they need to thrive,鈥� Danilowicz said. 鈥淔or employees, we will develop more robust onboarding programs, mentorship opportunities and other knowledge-sharing approaches so that all faculty and staff feel supported and are able to flourish.鈥�
Additional strategic plan themes include academic achievement and intellectual discovery, student success and experiential learning, strategic partnerships and community engagement, organizational excellence and continuous improvement and communication and collaboration.
Culture of care holds each of these themes together, the president noted, and 鈥渋s the single most important thread woven throughout the plan.鈥�
The success of Shaping Tomorrow 鈥� Together will depend on each individual in the Highlander community, the president expressed.
鈥淓ach of us has unique talents, perspectives and experiences that will help bring this plan to life. This is a moment to roll up our sleeves. A moment to dream big. A moment to lean into the future with confidence and excitement.鈥�
In closing his remarks, Danilowicz reminded the gathering that 91制片厂 鈥渉as always been a place where people care deeply 鈥� about their work, about their community and about each other.
鈥淭hat is our strength. That is our identity,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd that is what will carry us forward.鈥�