Dear Members of the University Community,
I am proud to announce the start of the FIU 2030 Strategic Plan planning process. This process will help define FIU’s next chapter and will be informed by our collective aspirations and hopes for our university and community.
Our next strategic plan process kicks-off at an unprecedented moment of success for FIU, one that forms the foundation for our future achievements. We are ranked by the Wall Street Journal as the #4 best public university in the country; our 4 year graduation rate has surpassed 60% (a national benchmark of excellence); and our faculty continue incredibly productive research, art/creative helping us surpass $300 million in research expenditures.
As a university community, we must continue to work intentionally and with strategic focus to carry on the incredible work that has helped FIU become a leader in student success and research excellence and an anchor institution powering economic and social mobility far beyond South Florida.
After a review of our previous strategic plans and a focus on the future of higher education, we have identified three preliminary pillars: The FIU Experience, Research Excellence, and Mission-Aligned Engagement and Partnerships. While defined separately, our overall success requires that we view these pillars as interconnected and interdependent.
- The FIU Experience: the continued development of an engaged, vibrant and stimulating environment that attracts potential students and provides them a path to attend (FTIC, transfer, graduate, professional).
- Research Excellence: a focus on inquiry, creativity, innovation, the development of knowledge and understanding;
- Mission-Aligned Engagement and Partnerships: engaging with our community in meaningful and strategic ways that develop new industries, provide care to all, and ensure that our home communities are informed, resilient, and benefiting from a Carnegie R1 public research university.
We have also identified three initial areas of strategic focus: Health, Environment and Environmental Resilience, and Innovation. Each of these areas present crucial research opportunities where FIU can serve as a solutions-center. With these areas of focus, creating opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration will be paramount for our success.
In the coming months, we will come together as a university community to define our vision for the future of FIU. I invite each of you to contribute your feedback, perspectives, and ideas through our Strategic Plan Survey and through attending the scheduled listening sessions. Your participation is not only welcome but is critical to our success. Kindly RSVP to indicate which session you would like to attend.