Strategic Plan

The following strategic plan was adopted Spring 2009

Progress Update: Fall 2011

Vision

Columbus State University provides world-class education and assures student success through creative inquiry and community, regional, and global partnerships.

Mission

• To achieve academic excellence through teaching, research, creative inquiry and student engagement.
• To achieve excellence in the student experience and prepare individuals for a life of success, leadership, and responsibility through community awareness, engagement, and service to others.
• To achieve recognition as a leader in community development, regional economic development, and public-private partnerships.

Values

• Excellence – Commitment to best practices in teaching and learning, scholarship and creative activity, student engagement, cultural enrichment and campus environment.
• Engagement – Active civil participation by students, faculty and staff in the university experience.
• Creativity – The pursuit of distinction through inquiry and innovation, challenging convention and focusing on solutions.
• Servant Leadership – Effective, ethical leadership through empowerment and service.
• Inclusion – Fostering and promoting a campus that embraces diverse people, ideas, views, and practices.
• Sustainability – Commitment to behaviors that recognize and respect our environmental context.

Strategic Goals and Objectives

Goal One: Achieve excellence in undergraduate and graduate education to meet student and community needs.

Objectives:

• Pursue and maintain national accreditation for all eligible undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Seek approval for Columbus State University's first doctoral degree.
• Develop and expand opportunities for online degrees and courses.
• Expand educational opportunities throughout the region.
• Develop and expand student and faculty opportunities for international programs, study abroad, and the Spencer House.
• Develop, promote and reward faculty/staff performance and achievement.
• Create a College of the Arts that is recognized as a leader in its disciplines.
• Strategically develop and grow graduate programs.
• Recognize and support faculty scholarship and creative activities.
• Expand programs and opportunities for student research.
• Recruit and retain qualified faculty and staff to adequately support the university's mission.

Goal Two: Increase enrollment to 10,000 students by fall 2011.

Objectives:

• Improve retention, progression and graduation rates.
• Enhance quality of campus life and student academic support services.
• Develop and deliver best-in-class First Year Experience programs
• Recruit better academically qualified undergraduate and graduate students.
• Expand honors and servant leadership programs.
• Expand participation and ensure success in intramural, club, and NCAA athletics.
• Increase enrollment capacity for core classes while maintaining a quality educational experience.
• Expand the utilization of the RiverPark campus to accommodate a greater number of students.

Goal Three: Create more partnerships with academic institutions, government agencies, and businesses consistent with the university's mission.

Objectives:

• Increase regional economic and community development efforts.
• Improve working relationships with local schools and educational systems on all levels.
• Lead workforce development efforts in this region.
• Encourage, expand, and enhance partnerships with community entities.
• Broaden opportunities for experiential learning and civic engagement.

Goal Four: Increase external funding and recognition.

Objectives:

• Increase sponsored research, grants, and contracts.
• Increase private funding.
• Expand alumni programs and engagement.
• Crystallize the Columbus State University brand.
• Pursue recognition/ranking in national publications, i.e., U.S. News & World Report, Princeton Review, etc.

Goal Five: Provide a best-in-class technology platform and information-based services.

Objectives:

• Create 100 percent wireless campus access to technology and information services.
• Promote operational excellence, develop business intelligence, and apply innovative business practices through the use of technology.
• Identify partnerships/alliances with world-class technology enterprises to support technology requirements.
• Maintain a dynamic web site that effectively serves online visitors and supports campus operations.
• Inspire faculty/staff to use leading-edge technology.
• Promote the libraries to be the premier information resource for CSU community (students, faculty and staff).