UConn Unveils Ambitious 10-Year 'Strategic Plan'

STORRS, CT — The University of Connecticut this week launched the details of a "far-reaching" 10-year strategic plan built "on the pillars of promoting holistic student success, expanding the University’s research impact, and using its strengths to help Connecticut thrive."

The new plan, which goes into effect next year and covers the period through 2034, includes six initiatives to support those "pillars" and 30 "priority actions." Officials called the plan "student-centered at its core," but said it also promotes "investment in UConn’s research enterprise" and prioritized "fiscal responsibility and stewardship of resources."

The plan features four key performance indicators for now with others to be added in 2024, officials said. The four KPIs, as identified by President Radenka Maric, are:

• Attain and maintain a six-year graduation rate of 90 percent or more. Currently, about 83 percent of UConn's students graduate within six years. While that is notably higher than the national average of 62.2 percent, it ranks 25th among public universities.
• Take in at least $500 million in research funding annually. UConn received $321.5 million in research awards in FY23, with the School of Medicine receiving the largest portion ($84.2 million), followed by the School of Engineering ($71.9 million).
• Reach a balance of $1 billion in the endowment, which is held and managed by the UConn Foundation for the benefit of the University. UConn’s endowment has been growing steadily – it was $288 million in 2011 – and was $577.2 million at the close of FY23. As the balance grows, more interest income is produced that can be directed to critical priorities such as scholarships and academic fellowships.
• Achieve carbon neutrality, one of Maric’s priority goals as part of a larger push for UConn to become an international model of sustainability in its operations, academics, and research. The plan strives for carbon neutrality by 2030, with the ultimate goal of being carbon zero by 2040.

The University engaged more than 10,000 people in preparing the 2024-2034 Strategic Plan through listening sessions, discussion forums, and surveys of students, employees, and other individuals and groups.

The Board of Trustees unanimously adopted the Strategic Plan at its Dec. 6 meeting.

The 2024-34 UConn Strategic Plan’s pillars include six overarching initiatives:

• The student success journey
• Excellence in research, innovation, and engagement
• The wellness of people and planet
• A focus on UConn as seven world-class campuses and one flagship
• Husky pride and resilience
• Building a stronger, more inclusive University

The details of the pillars can be seen on the UConn Today site.