Dear UMBC Community,
Today, I am very pleased to share the Strategic Plan Steering Committee’s significant progress this semester towards completion of the UMBC strategic plan.
As a reminder, the strategic plan will be built on five pillars: cultivating organizational innovation and vitality; redefining excellence in research and creative achievement; strengthening Maryland and its communities; advancing student opportunity and success; and transforming teaching and learning.
Earlier this academic year, the Strategic Plan Steering Committee formed five subgroups, each dedicated to creating a plan for a pillar. The subgroups included committee members and additional campus community members who have experience and expertise in the areas that each pillar is designed to address. Each of the five subgroups has now drafted a plan for its respective pillar. These drafts incorporate your valuable and insightful feedback gathered through:
engagements with stakeholder groups this semester;
the spring campus-wide Strategic Plan survey;
the 2025 Campus Climate survey;
website feedback forms;
the 2024 Core Values survey;
the fall 2023 Shared Governance survey; and
the Bold Conversations held in early 2023.
President Sheares Ashby and I, and the steering committee, thank every community member who generously contributed their ideas in group sessions and conversations, and through the extended pillar subgroups. We also are grateful to those who took time to complete the surveys and shared feedback via the website form. This is the UMBC community’s strategic plan. Your participation in the engagements and surveys supports all of our community members seeing themselves in the final strategic plan.
President Sheares Ashby and I also extend our gratitude to the dedicated, hard-working members of the Strategic Plan Steering Committee. Their time and talent over the past year have been vital in reaching this pivotal moment. Please join us in thanking this committee, who so beautifully represented our UMBC campus community.
With the pillar plans finished, we are now drafting the full strategic plan for a September 2026 launch around the same time that we celebrate the 60th anniversary of UMBC opening its doors. Details on plan rollout activities and resources will follow early next academic year.
Thank you, everyone, for your commitment to UMBC’s future.
Sincerely,
Charissa S. L. Cheah
Professor, Psychology and Asian Studies Affiliate Faculty
Chair, Strategic Plan Steering Committee
Dear UMBC Community,
Thank you to those of you who have already shared your thoughts and feedback with the Strategic Plan Steering Committee. Today, I write to advise you that the deadline for sharing your ideas about UMBC’s strategic plan and pillars via this survey is Friday, April 17. You can choose which sections of the survey to complete. All responses are anonymous and confidential.
We also want to remind you to visit the strategic planning website and complete the feedback form on the homepage.
We encourage those of you who have not yet provided your thoughts to do so; your voice will ensure the UMBC Strategic Plan is as strong as it can be.
Regards,
Charissa S. L. Cheah
Professor, Psychology and Asian Studies Affiliate Faculty
Chair, Strategic Plan Steering Committee
Dear UMBC Community,
On behalf of the Strategic Plan Steering Committee, I write to remind you to share your ideas for strengthening UMBC’s strategic plan and pillars via this survey. The survey deadline has been extended from Tuesday, April 7, to Friday, April 17, to ensure as many responses as possible. You can choose which sections to complete based on your interests and experiences. Please note that each section takes approximately 10 – 15 minutes, and all responses are anonymous and confidential.
Our pillar subgroups have started posting engagement events in the myUMBC Strategic Planning group. The Transform Teaching and Learning pillar subgroup is inviting UMBC faculty to two events next week. On Tuesday, April 7, a Virtual Town Hall will be held at 4 p.m., which faculty can register for here. On Wednesday, April 8, an In-Person Town Hall for faculty will take place in Engineering 027 from noon to 1 p.m.
Finally, please visit the strategic planning website for current information, which includes a feedback form on the homepage.
Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts and feedback; your voice is essential to ensuring a strong UMBC Strategic Plan. We appreciate your support.
Regards,
Charissa S. L. Cheah
Professor, Psychology and Asian Studies Affiliate Faculty
Chair, Strategic Plan Steering Committee
Dear UMBC Community,
On behalf of the Strategic Plan Steering Committee, I write to remind you to share your ideas for strengthening UMBC’s strategic plan and pillars via this survey. The survey deadline has been extended from Tuesday, April 7, to Friday, April 17, to ensure as many responses as possible. You can choose which sections to complete based on your interests and experiences. Please note that each section takes approximately 10 – 15 minutes, and all responses are anonymous and confidential.
Our pillar subgroups have started posting engagement events in the myUMBC Strategic Planning group. The Transform Teaching and Learning pillar subgroup is inviting UMBC faculty to two events next week. On Tuesday, April 7, a Virtual Town Hall will be held at 4 p.m., which faculty can register for here. On Wednesday, April 8, an In-Person Town Hall for faculty will take place in Engineering 027 from noon to 1 p.m.
Finally, please visit the strategic planning website for current information, which includes a feedback form on the homepage.
Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts and feedback; your voice is essential to ensuring a strong UMBC Strategic Plan. We appreciate your support.
Regards,
Charissa S. L. Cheah
Professor, Psychology and Asian Studies Affiliate Faculty
Chair, Strategic Plan Steering Committee