As members of the University of Iowa community, we have a remarkable opportunity to materially impact the future of our university. The process of refreshing the UI’s strategic plan will begin over the next few months across campus. This activity is purposely originating outside the confines of Jessup Hall in order to unleash the UI’s potential throughout our community.

Within several weeks, each college and central-administrative unit will begin its own strategic-planning process, drawing upon input and leadership from local shared governance and administrators. In order to provide a framework for discussion, the areas of focus that will make up the collegiate units, central administrative units, and UI strategic plans are:

• Student Success

• Research and Discovery

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

• Engagement

These focus areas are not new to our campus, and it is clear that their integration is vital to the future success of the UI’s students, faculty, and staff. While the previous strategic plan referred to these core areas as pillars, in reality they are part of the very fabric of the UI and should be viewed as interconnected pieces of a great university.

For our campus, the process of creating the strategic plan makes this a critical time for the community, through shared governance in each college and central-administrative unit, to actively participate in our collective future. Empowering every corner of campus to engage locally will inform and direct the UI’s strategic plan with expertise, passion, and creativity.

Each day, UI students, faculty, and staff expect excellence from themselves, their colleagues, and their classmates. It is through these high expectations that new and exciting knowledge is acquired daily on the UI campus through teaching, research, scholarship, and inclusion. Expecting excellence from these core activities of the university will allow for exploration and growth in other areas.

To be clear, additional investment will be required to implement the university’s strategic plan. A transparent and straightforward strategy, memorialized in the UI’s strategic plan, will inform students, family members, Iowans, and alums how their investment will be spent.

As leaders, we implore each and every member of our campus to engage with this process within your area to ensure your voice is heard.

–

Bruce Harreld, President

Montse Fuentes, Executive Vice President and Provost

Gary Barta, Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics

Daniel L. Clay, Ph.D., M.B.A., Dean and Professor, College of Education

John Culshaw, Jack B. King University Librarian

Steve Goddard, UI Alumni Association Dean’s Chair, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Dexter Golinghorst, President, Graduate and Professional Student Government 

Sandra Daack-Hirsch Ph.D., R.N., FAAN, President, Faculty Senate

Brooks Jackson, M.D., M.B.A., Professor of Pathology; Vice President for Medical Affairs; Dean, Carver College of Medicine

David C. Johnsen, DDS, MS, Dean, College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics

Terry L. Johnson, CFO & Treasurer

John Keller, Professor, Associate Provost, and Dean, Graduate College

Rod Lehnertz, Senior Vice President, Finance and Operations

Donald E. Letendre, Professor and Dean, College of Pharmacy

Lynette L. Marshall, President and CEO, University of Iowa Center for Advancement

Peter Matthes, Senior Adviser to the President; Vice President for External Relations

Laura McLeran, Senior Adviser to the President; Associate Vice President for External Relations

Noel Mills, President, UI Student Government

Edith Parker, Dean, College of Public Health

Carroll Reasoner, Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel

Marty Scholtz, Vice President of Research

Alec B. Scranton, Dean, College of Engineering

Melissa S. Shivers, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Life

Downing Thomas, Associate Provost and Dean, International Programs

Tanya Uden-Holman, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean, University College

Kevin Washburn, N. William Hines Dean and Professor, College of Law

Mike Weaver, President, UI Staff Council

Julie Zerwic, Ph.D., R.N., FAHA, FAAN

Guest opinions reflect the opinions of the authors and are not those of the Publisher, Student Publications Inc., or The Daily Iowan.