Radford University officially launches six-year strategic plan

After months of planning, Radford University's new strategic plan is in place.

Now "it's time to get to work," 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, Shaping Tomorrow - Together, spells out the university's vision for 2026-2031 with a new, refined mission statement and themes that represent the common ideas, goals and values of the Radford community.

Shaping Tomorrow - Together is not simply a tagline, said Sharon Roger Hepburn, "it captures how we got here."

Hepburn, a professor and chair of the university's 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 Radford University Board of Visitors in December 2025.

"We began this process with a commitment to doing the work thoughtfully and inclusively," Hepburn said. "Today we celebrate and begin implementation."

Joyner and Hepburn singled out numerous individuals who have been active in building the strategic plan. Radford Chief of Staff Ryan Bowyer will manage the plan's implementation.

"This plan only matters if we bring it to life together," Hepburn said, encouraging those in the audience to engage with the plan's website, which features updates and participation opportunities. "Your continued engagement is vital to achieving our goals."

Over the past two years, the Radford community has worked together on a strategic plan "that challenged us, focused us and ultimately strengthened us," said Danilowicz, who noted the plan is centered on four ambitious goals:

• Defining Radford's 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's identity as a "deeply connected place and purpose" and improving ways Radford 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 "Woohoo!" to the delight of the audience.

"Those accomplishments are not just milestones - they are the foundation for everything we are about to launch today," the president continued. "You built that foundation. You made this moment possible. And I want to begin by saying thank you."

Addressing the gathering in the auditorium and those watching online, Danilowicz provided detailed insight into the plan's six themes, one of which is culture of care.

"We want every Highlander to feel valued, supported and empowered to thrive," he said.

To accomplish that goal for students, Radford will "leverage innovative technologies and support tools to proactively connect them with the services and resources they need to thrive," Danilowicz said. "For 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."

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 "is the single most important thread woven throughout the plan."

The success of Shaping Tomorrow - Together will depend on each individual in the Highlander community, the president expressed.

"Each 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."

In closing his remarks, Danilowicz reminded the gathering that Radford "has always been a place where people care deeply - about their work, about their community and about each other.

"That is our strength. That is our identity," he said. "And that is what will carry us forward."