UAFS gets new 5-year plan, vision

The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith has a new vision statement and a five-year strategic plan, which includes four main initiatives.

The University of Arkansas System board of trustees approved both in a meeting last week. Under the new vision statement, the university “will be a national model for preparing students for workforce mobility through education and professional development while serving as a thought leader in the region for workforce training.”

The five-year plan is the culmination of nearly two and a half years of work from focus groups, which included input from trustees, the state and the community, said UAFS Chancellor Paul Beran. He noted the university’s mission — preparing students to succeed in an ever-changing global world while advancing economic development and quality of place — has not changed.

Under the plan, the university aims to:

Increase the enrollment, retention and graduation rates of UAFS students.

Provide an innovative and holistic educational experience for students with a focus on academic opportunities supporting economic growth and development.

Increase workplace productivity, collaboration and innovation by fostering and championing professional growth and development for university faculty and staff.

Strategically align resources to support university objectives.