A series of future-focused conversations with George Washington University students, faculty and staff have marked the first step in a strategic framework development process that will guide the George Washington University’s growth over the next five to 10 years.
GW President Ellen M. Granberg and Provost Christopher Alan Bracey announced the conversations in late February, saying they would be a way to begin to understand the future for which the university is planning, particularly with regard to the challenges and opportunities higher education faces.
The conversations tailored questions for each GW constituency around the key areas of the future of work and the workforce, the future of higher education, and the future of knowledge. Conversations occurred virtually to encourage robust participation within the GW community, supplemented by discussions with various GW leadership groups. Sessions with alumni will take place in April.
“These sessions were an excellent opportunity for students, faculty and staff to share their perspectives on these key areas not just with leadership, but in thoughtful discussion with their colleagues,” said Bracey. “I have greatly appreciated this opportunity to learn more about what is top of mind for our community.”
The conversations spanned a range of topics of interest for students, faculty and staff. A few common ideas expressed in various ways across all groups included confronting the role of artificial intelligence in education and research; the importance of teaching critical thinking and communication skills in educating the future workforce; and the need for GW to capitalize further on its location in the District of Columbia. In general, participants also agreed upon the need to ensure that a GW education remains relevant for current and future jobs and the workforce as a whole.
Questions posed in the conversations are available online, and community members who could not attend any of the sessions are encouraged to submit responses in the feedback form.
The perspectives shared in these sessions and online will enable the university to identify themes or areas of interest that will inform the development of a strategic framework for the university. A draft report about the themes will be shared with the community for feedback in April, after which it will be shared with the Board of Trustees for review, discussion and endorsement.
Beginning in the fall 2024 semester and throughout the 2024-25 academic year, leadership will continue to engage the GW community as the university builds out the strategic framework and begins to identify areas of opportunity and investment within the themes. The final, Board-approved strategic framework will be shared in spring 2025.
GW community members can visit the Office of the Provost site for information about the strategic framework timeline.
