Breadcrumb
UCM Strategic Plan 2026-2031
UCM's 2026-2031 strategic plan is our roadmap for the future: a clear set of priorities
that align our mission, vision and values with the needs of our students, region and
workforce. Developed with input from over 1,600 students, faculty, staff, alumni and
community leaders, this plan reflect who we are and defines where we are going together.
It helps us focus our resources, measure our progress and stay true to who we are
while adapting to change.
Having received board endorsement for our strategic framework, we are transitioning
from the planning stage to action. Achieving these goals relies on every college,
division, department and individual at UCM.
Hear the Why Behind the Plan
On the Central Speaks podcast, Dr. Ann McCoy shares the why, how and what's next of
the UCM Strategic Planning process. Listen here on this page by clicking the player
below or subscribe to Central Speaks wherever you get your podcasts:
Institutional Foundation
Mission Statement
We empower individuals to learn deeply, grow confidently, and navigate change with
purpose.
Vision Statement
Where curiosity enables every learner to impact the world.
Values
- Respect: Reflects how UCM builds a welcoming environment where each individual feels supported, included, and part of something larger than themselves.
- Well-being: Emphasizes creating an environment where people feel safe and healthy 鈥� being able
to learn, work, and engage while supported in both their physical and
mental well-being. - Innovation: Reflects UCM鈥檚 ability to evolve, experiment, and adapt 鈥� remaining future-ready in teaching, programs, technology, and institutional practices.
- Service: Highlights UCM鈥檚 commitment to serving others 鈥� in the classroom, in the region, and
in society 鈥� contributing and making a meaningful difference to others
through action. - Opportunity: Reflects how UCM opens doors 鈥� creating pathways, removing barriers, and supporting personal, academic, and professional success.
- Integrity: Represents upholding ethical behavior, honoring commitments, and creating trust in relationships and decisions.
Strategic Framework: Imperatives & Opportunity Actions
Imperatives
- Learner Access and Achievement: UCM ensures every learner who enrolls is supported, engaged, and able to progress from access to achievement 鈥� experiencing a clear sense of belonging, purpose, and success from entry through completion and beyond.
- Applied Learning: UCM delivers applied, experiential, and workforce-aligned learning that prepares every learner to translate knowledge into action and succeed in meaningful careers, service, and leadership.
- People and Culture: UCM cultivates a culture that invests in the growth,
development, and well-being of staff, faculty, and learners 鈥� strengthening trust, collaboration, and shared responsibility across the university community. - Partnerships and Impact: UCM is a trusted anchor institution that strengthens regional, state, national, and global partnerships to expand opportunity, support economic development, and advance community prosperity.
- Operational Innovation and Excellence: UCM embraces innovation and excellence in teaching, technology, physical plant, processes, and operations to create a modern university.
- Institutional Identity: UCM advances a clear and compelling identity that elevates its visibility, demonstrates its transformative impact, and strengthens its competitive position regionally, nationally, and globally.
Opportunity Actions
- Deliver World-Class Academics and Learning Experiences: How UCM designs curriculum, instruction, and applied learning experiences that prepare learners for life, work, and leadership.
- Design Learner Support and Engagement Systems: How UCM supports learners academically, socially, and personally from entry through completion and beyond.
- Develop, Support, and Engage People: How UCM develops, supports, and engages faculty, staff, and learners to foster growth, trust, and shared responsibility.
- Cultivate Strategic Partnerships and Organizational Relationships: How UCM collaborates with employers, communities, alumni, donors, and external partners to expand opportunity and impact.
- Leverage Technology, Data, and Digital Resources: How UCM leverages technology, data, and analytics to enhance learning, work, decision-making, and innovation.
- Align Operations, Policy, and Resources for Sustainable Growth: How UCM aligns policies, processes, structures, and investments to support strategic priorities and sustainability.
- Communicate with Clarity, Purpose, and Impact: How UCM communicates its identity, impact, and successes to build visibility, trust, and advocacy.
Developed through a yearlong process with broad stakeholder input, the plan is intended to serve as a working document, with metrics, implementation and assessment continuing as units develop aligned initiatives.
Implementing the Plan: Our Shared Responsibility
A strategic plan succeeds when it moves from a document to unit-level execution. During the Unit-Level Planning Phase, every academic department and administrative division will map its annual goals and initiatives to the strategic imperatives.
- Academic & Operating Units: Develop clear unit-level initiatives and identify Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) using the Nuventive system to measure progress.
- Faculty & Staff: Connect daily responsibilities and innovative ideas to specific strategic imperatives during annual goal setting and performance reviews.
- Students: Benefit from improved support systems, expanded applied learning opportunities and modern campus infrastructure designed to elevate UCM's educational experience.
Have Questions?
Contact our Strategic Plan Chair:
Ann McCoy
Vice Provost, Academic Programs & Graduate Studies
