An Uncommon Future at VCU: Building a new strategic plan

By VCU News staff

Virginia Commonwealth University is driven by a singular purpose: to help Uncommon Heroes build a better future for all. To accomplish this, the university needs the help of its entire community to help develop its next strategic plan and shape a new path toward an Uncommon Future at VCU.

During the initial phases of the development of the new strategic plan, VCU hopes to gather as much feedback from the community as possible and incorporate these perspectives into a fresh vision for the university. The university is asking the entire community to get involved, including by offering written feedback, participating in focus groups and attending town halls.

"As the public's expectations of higher education rapidly change, this is VCU's opportunity to define our next era," said VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D. "We do so by honoring the boldness that created our university while pursuing new levels of excellence that help us impact the world in completely new ways."

As a modern public research university, innovation is part of who VCU is. Here, success is not measured by where you begin, but by how far you go, what you discover and who you become.

"Our mission is to make life better - not just for some of us, but for all of us. We do that by graduating and inspiring Uncommon Heroes who create, discover, lead and serve," wrote Arturo P. Saavedra, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president and provost, and Meredith Weiss, Ph.D., senior vice president, chief operating and financial officer, in a message to the university community.

Saavedra and Weiss, who are managing the development of the new strategic plan, said achieving this vision requires focused ambition across the following priorities:

• Revolutionizing the student experience to graduate Uncommon Heroes
  VCU will transform the student experience so our students thrive, graduate on time and leave prepared to elevate humanity. VCU will be a destination of choice for hard-working, talented students from all backgrounds. We will deliver engaging teaching, hands-on learning, research experiences and career preparation that expand opportunity, strengthen social mobility and prepare graduates who are in demand and ready to make life better and healthier for all of us.
• Igniting discovery led by Uncommon Heroes
  VCU will attract exceptional faculty and staff whose teaching, research, creativity, care and service improve lives, advance health and enrich communities. VCU will be a destination for innovative, caring and boldly original leaders who choose to build their careers here because this is where they do their most meaningful work. We will foster a culture of impact, urgency, focus and collaboration so faculty and staff can pursue discovery, drive economic prosperity, strengthen communities and solve difficult challenges others can't ... or won't.

Higher education stands at a pivotal, defining moment. As expectations evolve, VCU has the opportunity to redefine its promise, break free from the status quo and drive meaningful, lasting change.

"What are your boldest ideas for how we can achieve this?" Saavedra and Weiss said. "What are the barriers that we need to overcome? What's missing from our priorities? We want to hear your most audacious ideas, disruptive concepts and forward-thinking strategies."

VCU's next strategic plan will be strongest if our community shapes it. To help build VCU's Uncommon Future, visit uncommonfuture.vcu.edu/.