George Washington University President Ellen M. Granberg outlined the formal development of the university’s strategic framework to the GW community Saturday during the Presidential Dialogue event hosted as part of Alumni and Families Weekend.
Speaking to a near capacity afternoon crowd at Betts Theatre in the University Student Center, Granberg said during her first year she was consistently impressed by the GW community’s passion for not only changing the world but also building an institution that provides a strong platform for making that change possible.
It didn’t take long for Granberg and her wife, Sonya Rankin, to realize what a remarkable place GW is in a special city like D.C., and during engagements she frequently heard desires to better leverage its strengths in education and research to foster a more adaptable and resilient community of global leaders prepared to tackle the world's biggest challenges.
The strategic framework, she said, is a tool for reaching those goals.
“We must build a foundation for the next level of excellence,” Granberg said.
She laid out the framework’s four guiding themes: advancing impactful knowledge production through interdisciplinary excellence, reimagining skill development for the future, redefining authentic leadership for modern challenges, and turning ideas into action by being a global convener. Granberg noted how some of the groundwork has already been laid with significant investments in student life, enhanced career support and resources for faculty research.
She shared that a committee of faculty and staff is working to flesh out these ideas and that a steering committee will take its feedback and develop a complete strategic framework, including timelines and budgets. The goal is to present a plan to the Board of Trustees next May, and she is excited to engage with the larger GW community to inform that plan.
The strategic framework is key among Granberg’s initiatives as the university continues to embark on its third century of operation. Asked by an audience member what she’s most excited about in terms of future projects that promote the university’s goals, Granberg said she sees an amazing opportunity for GW to integrate its historical strengths in politics, policy, law and international relations with medicine, science, technology and AI.
“This combination positions us to address complex issues like climate change, food supply and the health of democracy,” Granberg said. “I believe this is our unique opportunity moving forward, and it excites me the most.”
The launch of the Global Food Institute, founded jointly by world renowned chef and humanitarian José Andrés and GW, is one such example.
Granberg noted that the three things she finds especially special about GW are its proximity, outstanding people and relentless pursuit of impact through research and education. These all add up to GW community members being deeply engaged and passionate about the world around them, she said.
With current global conflicts eliciting strong passion among community members, Granberg pointed to new spaces and resources on campus that help the community engage meaningfully with one another and these topics, including the Center for Interfaith and Spiritual Life and the Division for Student Affairs, which is bringing in experts to train student leaders and staff on techniques that help bridge challenging dialogue across differences.
“Today, we are also focused on developing global leaders who will face increasingly complex and existential challenges,” Granberg said. “It is our duty to equip our students with the skills and courage needed to engage with these difficult issues.”
Some of those students may even join the long list of GW alumni and community members in the halls of government. Frequently cited as one of the most politically active campuses, GW has educated more than 120 members of Congress, 79 ambassadors, two U.S. secretaries of state and two U.S. attorneys general. Granberg said that there is no better place to learn, debate or engage with the democratic process.
“At GW, we do not just study democracy; we live it,” she said.
That is always the case, but in the next few weeks perhaps more so than ever as the Nov. 5 presidential election looms. Granberg pointed to the GDub Election Hub that showcases the many ways the community is engaging with this election, including faculty expertise, research, and stories and student resources such as GW Votes.
Granberg also mentioned the upcoming annual meetings this week at the World Bank and IMF, located just steps off GW’s Foggy Bottom campus. Each year, GW students volunteer at these meetings, gaining firsthand access to discussions about global poverty, the economy and sustainability.
“I'm using these examples to highlight GW's unique strengths: Our proximity to some of the world’s most influential organizations, combined with the passionate individuals we attract, create a powerful impact on the world,” Granberg said. “These are our ‘unfair’ advantages. In the coming months, we will explore how to build on these strengths to enhance GW.”
Granberg concluded with thanking alumni and families for joining her inside on a perfect fall day, leaving them with one final request.
“Now, please, go enjoy the sun.”
