Portland State Magazine Winter 2016

winter 2016 pORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE 3 Shared Vision wr i t t e n b y j ohn k i rk land New strategic plan focuses on student success. wr i t t e n b y HARRY E S T EVE PORTLAND STATE’s Board of Trustees has approved a new strategic plan for PSU that “puts students first” and places a greater emphasis on equity and diversity. The document, more than a year in the making, is meant to guide the University into the next decade by addressing rapid changes in higher education, demographic shifts and new PSU priorities. “This plan puts us in a position to thrive as an academic and economic leader,” President Wim Wiewel says. “A lot of work went into it, and that work is going to pay off as we move forward.” The plan was developed by a group of about 30 faculty, staff, students, alumni and other members of the campus community. About 100 more participated in committees that developed language for the goals and initiatives. Hundreds more took part in town halls meetings and social events to give feedback. “I’ve worked on a lot of strategic plans,” says Stephen Percy, dean of the College of Urban and Public Affairs and chair of the main planning committee. “But I’ve never seen this level of participation by a campus.” THE DOCUMENT outlines five “strategic goals” for the University to strive for over the next five years: elevate student success, advance excellence in teaching and research, extend PSU’s leadership in community engagement, expand PSU’s commitment to equity, and innovate for long-term financial stability. Each of the goals is backed by a number of action-oriented initiatives, ranging from creating more “flexible degrees” to developing new, sustainable sources of revenue. Key compo- nents of the plan call for improving student support as a way of increasing retention and graduation rates, and for greater diversity among the faculty and staff. Other initiatives call for building on Portland State’s reputation as a national model for urban universities that work closely with community partners; doing more to recognize out- standing teaching and research; and creating a comprehensive emergency management plan in the case of a natural disaster. Wiewel says he is pleased by the additional weight given to students and equity. “The planners recognized our future depends on ensuring an excellent, state-of-the-art education for an increasingly diverse student population,” he says. The team that developed the plan also redrafted PSU’s vision statement, which now reads: “Portland State University leads the way to an equitable and sustainable future through academic excellence, urban engagement, and expanding opportunity for all.”  Harry Esteve is a staff member in the PSU Office of University Communications.