Empowering Change: How Employee Insights Shaped Our University’s Strategic Imperatives

This spring, University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella kicked off a journey to clarify the institution’s mission. His focus? Students. He sees their success as the primary goal, which led to the creation of the document, "Delivering on Our Promise." This plan outlines the university’s Strategic Imperatives meant to guide its future.

Garimella stated, "The main goal is to unite our campus community with a shared vision." With the university transforming rapidly, he believes it’s crucial to define what makes them unique and how to overcome challenges together.

To gather insights, Garimella involved Amanda Kraus, vice president for student affairs, and John Pollard, dean of the W.A. Franke Honors College. They organized listening sessions that brought together students, faculty, and community members.

"There was a strong sense of potential within our community," Kraus noted. "The challenge was how to align our resources to move our mission forward."

The discussions revealed themes of collaboration and concern for student needs. The final Strategic Imperatives include:

1. Success for Every Student: Enhancing a student-centered experience, aiming for high retention and graduation rates.
2. Research that Shapes the Future: Leveraging university strengths to tackle global challenges through innovation.
3. Community Engagement: Strengthening ties with local and international communities to create opportunities.

Pollard emphasized the importance of creating a space for dialogue: "Participants were energized. They addressed key questions about our identity and future goals." The sessions involved small group discussions that allowed everyone to share their thoughts.

Notably, the aim is to enrich undergraduate and graduate research experiences. Staff and faculty are deeply invested in enhancing student journeys, making it clear that students are a central focus, not just a number.

Feedback received from nearly 700 community members helped shape the final document. Respondents prioritized "Success for Every Student," saying it should be the university’s top focus.

Now, with the Strategic Imperatives in hand, the next step is action. Pollard reflects on a story from Garimella’s installation that encouraged immediate action. "We need to be proactive with these goals," Pollard said, "The real work begins now."

In a recent message, Garimella reiterated the importance of student success in fulfilling their promise. The future looks bright as the University of Arizona charts its course, motivated by a clear vision and a commitment to its community.

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