State of the University Address Will Highlight Week of Strategic Updates

Russell Cothren

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A ‘State of the University’ address by Chancellor Joseph E. Steinmetz and the launch of a new strategic plan for academics at the University of Arkansas will be featured as a part of a series of strategic updates during One University Week, Sept. 11-15.

"We’ve done a lot of looking in the mirror during the past 20 months and analyzing what we can do to improve in all areas, but now with a clear plan reflective of our guiding priorities, and action steps in place, it’s time to focus on the future and the continuous improvement needed to make this university the best it has ever been,” said Chancellor Steinmetz. “The provost and I are pleased to share and implement the major initiatives that best support our institutional priorities and make up the strategic academic plan – which will be available online Sept. 12.

"The plan is a breakdown of the eight guiding priorities our campus established together, the actions needed to advance each priority and the metrics which we will use to track progress moving forward."

In addition to the chancellor’s address and strategic plan launch, One University Week will include an academic update from Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Jim Coleman as well as an update on the progress of the development of a unifying theme for the university’s primary messaging and communications efforts. Details of each day’s focus will be provided in Newswire with links to the articles also available via the uark.edu homepage.

Strategic Plan Launch – Tuesday, Sept. 12

The university’s strategic plan for academics will be available online with a link from the uark.edu homepage. The plan was developed through a campuswide, collaborative process set in motion by Chancellor Steinmetz in early 2016. The process included the establishment of a set of guiding priorities and measurable goals that, together, form the roadmap for the future of the University of Arkansas. The strategic planning process included input from all academic departments, many interdisciplinary programs and centers, students, faculty and staff.  

Provost’s Fall Academic Update – Wednesday, Sept. 13

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Jim Coleman will provide an academic update for the entire campus community in Newswire. The update will include details of organizational changes within the Provost’s Office related to better aligning existing resources to supporting institutional priorities.

‘State of the University’ Address – Thursday, Sept. 14

Chancellor Steinmetz will discuss the university’s strategic plan for academics, major new initiatives related to the plan and his future outlook in a ‘State of the University’ address at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 14 at the Faulkner Performing Arts Center. The address is open to the public. A livestream of the address and later a recorded version will also be available at the University of Arkansas YouTube channel.

Telling Our Story – Friday, Sept. 15

Clearly conveying the university’s goals to the state and nation by explaining who we are, what we do, where we’re going and why it matters requires a consistent and unified effort. Many faculty, staff, students and other key university stakeholders are already involved in developing the university’s unifying theme. An update on the unifying theme development process and next steps will be available in Newswire.