This strategic plan positions UConn to build on our history of excellence in academics, research, and outreach to continuously improve in service to our students and our communities. Recognizing that our people are our greatest strength, we leveraged the expertise and commitment of our vast community to learn what we can do better and what our priorities should be.
In preparing this plan, we engaged more than 10,000 people: students, faculty, staff, alumni, industry collaborators, friends of the University, and many others. We collected feedback through surveys, forums, listening sessions, and self-study led by our steering committee, working groups, and implementation planning team. We listened carefully to refine our vision, values, goals, and priority areas of focus. We will continue to engage our community to ensure successful plan implementation.
At its core, this plan centers students in our actions as an institution, signaling that when a student chooses to come to UConn, they will have countless opportunities to connect, learn, and develop. In executing this plan, we will strengthen holistic student success in many ways, including providing increased connections with faculty and staff who can mentor and support them, positioning them for a successful path toward graduation and beyond. We will expand student opportunities to explore research with our world-class faculty, broaden engagement in experiential learning that supports career success, and increase support for student participation in co-curricular activities, including any of our 700 student clubs. Once they graduate, this plan seeks more ways to help students stay connected as Huskies, engaging with them during their pursuit of life and career goals.
This strategic plan promotes investment in our research enterprise to achieve the next level of excellence as an R1 institution. Our faculty members perform transformative research and creative work across disciplines, including the health and biological sciences, physical sciences, engineering and emerging technologies, social sciences, humanities, fine arts, and many others.
Our faculty members collaborate to confront our world's grand challenges, including issues such as climate change, health disparities, and advancing artificial intelligence, which are highlighted in this plan. Building on our strengths, we will recruit top-tier faculty to lead transformative research efforts and recruit promising graduate students both nationally and internationally. We will build and maintain infrastructure to support their capacity to conduct, translate, and disseminate groundbreaking research, promoting an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship in support of economic development, including reinforcing the state’s leadership in emerging technologies and health sciences.
In addition to capturing our goals and aspirations, this plan prioritizes fiscal responsibility and stewardship of resources, including increasing efficiencies and improving opportunities for collaboration inside and outside of the University.
To serve our students, foster innovation, and uphold academic excellence, we prioritize supporting our faculty and staff, celebrating their achievements, and enabling their growth.
We are New England's leading public land- and sea-grant research institution, powered by robust academics, innovative research, a world-class athletics program, and a service-oriented community. Our students come from every town in the state, every state in the nation, and over 200 different countries, all contributing to our vibrant and diverse community.
This 10-year plan is a source of immense pride for me, from the way our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners rallied to participate in its creation, to the ambitious goals you will see on the following pages. Thank you to the many who joined in the process. UConn is a great university and working together, we will reach new heights.
Students First. UConn Always. Huskies Forever.
President Radenka Maric
