UNM President David J. Schmidly launched an initiative that will set a course for the university for the next several years. For the past few months university leadership has worked to develop a “Strategic Framework” individual departments and programs can use as guide as they develop their plans and goals. On Tuesday, Schmidly spoke to the entire university community via a live web cast explaining what this means for the campus community and how to become more involved.
Photo: UNM President David J. Schmidly
The underlying question for all major decisions at UNM for the next few years begins with, “How does this enhance the ability of our students to be successful?”
The framework puts forth UNM’s mission, vision, core values and institution-wide strategies as keys to aligning the campus toward future success.
Also included as part of the framework are “Four Strands of Priority” to focus the university’s efforts:
Student Success – With a focus on affordability, access, graduation and retention rates.
Systemic Excellence – With focus on research, undergraduate and graduate education, international education and diversity.
Healthy Communities – With focus on urban/rural health, education and training, research, outreach and intervention and health policy.
Economic and Community Development – With focus on economic revitalization, community capacity building, and leadership in sustainability.
Over the next two weeks all faculty, staff and student are asked to read the Strategic Framework document and institution-wideEnvironmental Assessment and SWOT Analysis, hold departmental discussions and think about how to connect current and future activities to the framework. Schmidly will attend some departmental discussions.
On Thursday, May 1, Schmidly will hold a town hall meeting from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. to highlight various departmental plans to carry forth the mission, contribute to the vision and live the values.
Schmidly said this exercise sets UNM on a specific course for the next several years so it is important for everyone to participate in the process now as it is being shaped.
Media Contacts: Susan McKinsey, (505) 277-1807; email: mckinsey@unm.edu or Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627; email: kwent2@unm.edu