Strategic plan evolves as GVSU trustees approve Reach Higher Together

With an eye toward the future, Grand Valley State University's Board of Trustees on February 6 approved a revised university strategic plan, Reach Higher Together, that commits to increasing the university's impact on its students and the communities it serves.

The unanimous vote to adopt the plan came after more than a year of analysis, community engagement and evaluation, leading to the new plan. The Reach Higher Collaborative Leadership Network, a steering committee comprised of faculty, staff and students led the revision process.

The revised plan enhances the three commitments of the previous plan - and adds a fourth commitment to impact-driven discovery.

"At a time of real challenge and opportunity in higher education, this strategy reflects a university that is prepared, confident and ready to lead," Board Chairwoman Elizabeth Emmitt said. "What stands out most is not only the clarity of the plan, but how it was shaped - through broad participation, shared leadership and disciplined stewardship. It feels both ambitious and grounded, and it gives me strong confidence in the university's direction and excitement for what comes next."

Reach Higher Together represents an evolution of the Reach Higher 2025 plan that was written and adopted following the investiture of President Philomena V. Mantella in 2019.

The university's mission, vision and value statements were not changed as part of the work. Instead, the network gathered feedback and insights from students, faculty, staff and the broader community to reexamine the commitments made in Reach Higher 2025 to recognize changing conditions and evolving needs of the community.

The revised four commitments are:

• Empowered Educational Experience - We will ensure every learner has the knowledge, experiences, and critical thinking skills to shape a meaningful and transformative educational journey.
• Lifelong Learning - We will connect learners, communities, and employers to create impactful, real-world learning opportunities throughout adulthood and every phase of career.
• Impact-Driven Discovery - We will cultivate research, scholarship, and creative activity to advance knowledge and innovation that promote sustainability, fuel economic vitality, and serve the public good.
• Educational Equity & Well-Being - We will remove barriers, foster belonging, and provide support and resources that nurture the wellness of people, place, and planet.

"Reach Higher Together reflects thousands of interactions, comments and other input gathered from Lakers at all points in the GVSU community," Mantella said. "These commitments will be our guide as we plan with optimism for the strategic, political, technological and human challenges of the next decade."

The new fourth commitment to impact-driven discovery reflects the university's ongoing commitment to be a significant player in helping to shape the future of the Midwest and Michigan economy through research, scholarship and partnerships with key community partners.

The enhanced commitment to educational equity and well-being reflects feedback from the community about the importance of centering the wellness of community members and the environment in the university's actions.

Read the Reach Higher Together plan and learn more about the process by which it was written at gvsu.edu/reachhighertogether.