In the latest milestone after formally launching the strategic planning process, the George Washington University announced Thursday the faculty, staff and students who will serve on committees responsible for leading community discussions and developing recommendations that will inform the creation of the university’s new five-year strategic plan.
Over the current academic year, each committee will dive deeply into one of the plan’s four pillars, which cover key areas that drive excellence in higher education: world-class faculty, high-quality undergraduate education, distinguished and distinctive graduate education and high-impact research.
The committees will gather input, assess the current state of work at GW, examine best practices, propose recommendations to achieve preeminence and identify potential barriers or challenges.
A task force of trustees, faculty and constituency representatives also has been formed to coordinate and synthesize the work of the four committees.
“We have promised a rigorous and collaborative discussion this year as we come together to chart the university’s path to preeminence, and our committees are central to this process,” GW President Thomas LeBlanc said. “They are a direct channel for making your voices heard, and I urge all members of the university community to be engaged in this important work. Our future starts with you.”
The groups’ guidance and membership includes:
World-class faculty committee
Charged with developing a strategy to recruit, retain and promote an intellectually vibrant faculty that leverages GW’s history, location and emerging opportunities.
Chair: Scott Kieff, professor of law (GW Law)
Vice Chair: Nancy Gaba, professor and chair of obstetrics and gynecology (SMHS)
View full membership
View committee guidance
High-quality undergraduate education committee
Charged with developing a strategy with measurable outcomes to attract and retain a high-quality student body, and recommendations for the educational opportunities that GW should provide its students.
Chair: Gayle Wald, chair and professor of American studies (CCAS)
Vice Chair: Jason Zara, associate chair for academic affairs in biomedical engineering (SEAS)
View full membership
View committee guidance
Distinguished and distinctive graduate education committee
Charged with developing a strategy to identify, resource and elevate 10 doctoral programs to national preeminence (placing each program within the top quartile of comparable programs), as well as a strategy and criteria for the creation, evaluation and termination of professional graduate degree programs.
Chair: Carol Sigelman, professor of psychology (CCAS)
Vice Chair: Liesl Riddle, associate dean of graduate programs (GWSB)
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View committee guidance
High-impact research committee
Charged with developing a strategy for improving research productivity across the university that addresses all disciplines and leverages the unique opportunities available at GW.
Chair: Alan Greenberg, chair and professor of epidemiology and biostatistics (Milken Institute SPH)
Vice Chair: Diana Burley, professor of human and organizational learning (GSEHD)
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View committee guidance
Strategic Planning Task Force
Chaired by a trustee and composed of trustees, faculty, staff, student and alumni representatives, the Strategic Planning Task Force will coordinate the work of the four committees.
Chair: Christine Barth, trustee
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Timeline
The university expects to present a preliminary draft of the strategic plan to the Board of Trustees in February 2020, so that initial ideas can influence the budget process for fiscal 2021.
A final draft of the plan would be presented to the board in May 2020 for approval. Committee work throughout the year will directly inform the board’s Strategic Planning Task Force. A frequently asked questions page will be updated throughout the process.
Feedback
Members of the university community have already begun to submit feedback through the strategic plan website.
Additionally, each committee will host at least one town hall meeting to invite open discussion and ideas. More details on those meetings and other avenues for engaging in the process will be shared in the coming weeks. The strategic planning website will include details.
The committees will provide updates to the community and the Board of Trustees throughout the year.
