ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú

More than 1,500 of ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúans have engaged with ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúTHRIVE so far, through the 19 committees, the more than 25 focus groups and feedback sessions with student leaders, or one of the 51 presentations for ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University’s strategic plan.

The committee work has generated 55 broad ideas that are being reviewed to evaluate the cost-benefit of each, as well as opportunities for synergy and collaboration.

Priorities, Ambition, and Accomplishments

Three overarching priorities have emerged after reviewing the committees’ proposals:

• Student-centered Transformative Ideas: Bring to life transformative ideas that elevate academic excellence, scholarship, and opportunities for ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s talented students.

• Unwavering Commitment to Excellence: Foster a community where every member recognizes the critical importance of personal development, successful outcomes, and immediate action.

• Mission-focused Operational Efficiency: Work together to implement new ways of doing business to streamline our processes and ensure that resources are used strategically in support of our students and community.

Those priorities further the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúTHRIVE ambition to prepare students to thrive and lead through exceptional lives and dynamic, lifelong career journeys.

Through building ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúTHRIVE, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú has identified opportunities that align with that ambition and will serve students and the university community today and in the future. Recently, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú has:

• Partnered with Cleveland Clinic to advance education in quantum computing. The partnership will:
  • Establish Ohio’s first specialized degree programs and research experiences in quantum computing so ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú students will be among the first in the nation with this skill and training. 
  • Integrate ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú with the Cleveland Innovation District, establishing a physical ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú presence and “urban bridge” in Ohio’s second largest city for ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú students.
  • Give ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú students the opportunity to explore the synergy between healthcare and quantum computing by benefiting from Cleveland Clinic’s leadership in biomedical research, combined with its on-site IBM Quantum System One.
  • Create internships for ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú students with the Cleveland Clinic, fostering future research collaborations and creating pathways for graduates to contribute to both healthcare innovation and the quantum computing industry.  
• Conducted an extensive review of the university’s Human Resources (HR) structure and started consolidating services and operations previously housed within multiple university divisions. 
• Secured $15 million in funding from the Butler County Board of Commissioners to work with Butler Tech to create the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub, an integrated education and workforce ecosystem to position Ohio as a leader in manufacturing talent pipeline cultivation.
• Completed a comprehensive review of the efficiency of the university, which is projected to result in $13 million to $20 million annually in savings or new income over the coming years.
• Produced a that highlights key facets of ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s unique value proposition (and ) and expanded advertising in target markets.

These accomplishments have built on the legacy of the achievements of ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúRISE, the university’s previous strategic plan, which included 30 strategic recommendations in four categories: innovate, invest, invigorate, and implement, and it prioritized scholarship and artistry, innovation, student success, and engagement. The university was able to accomplish the plan’s recommendations, including establishing an Honors College; redesigning the student academic advising system; transforming the Global ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Plan; improving infrastructure to support research and scholarship; enhancing student retention strategies; and developing a strategic enrollment management plan. The last decade has also seen ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú slash its carbon footprint by over 50%, and the university intends to go carbon neutral by 2040.

Next Steps

Ideas from the first four committees were shared with the university community during the Fall ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúTHRIVE Symposium held in October. The remaining committees will share their ideas during the Spring ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúTHRIVE Symposium. Scheduled dates and times for symposium sessions will be posted to the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúTHRIVE website and announced in ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Matters. Those committees and topics are:

• Strategically leveraging the regional campuses.
• Strengthening the student experience and supporting growing segments.
• Increasing academic program flexibility and interdisciplinary pathways.
• Growing programs in high-demand fields.
• Developing ecosystems of excellence in research and scholarship.
• Resetting the cost of attendance.