KENNESAW, Ga. | Aug 8, 2024

Kennesaw State University leaders have unveiled “Taking Flight,” a new strategic plan that embraces the institution’s status as an emerging top public research university, while expanding its impact through excellence in teaching, relevant research, and community partnerships that benefit the region, state, and nation.

The plan was built over the course of a year with input from people across the KSU community and beyond, and was the focus of Thursday’s “Launch24,” the annual academic year kickoff celebration of administrators, faculty, and staff. Joined by members of KSU leadership, President Kathy S. Schwaig spoke to hundreds of faculty and staff members gathered for the kickoff event. 

“Kennesaw State has been on a path of transformation for years and we find ourselves at a very important time in our history,” Schwaig said. “We are having a bigger impact than ever before and, with our new plan, all of us will play a part in building an enduring reputation for excellence in how we teach and conduct research, partner with industry, support our community and state, and compete on the field of play.”

Kennesaw State has grown from its founding as a junior college in 1963 to a university of more than 47,000 students, offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees, and this summer moved to Conference USA in athletics. The university is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among the top public research institutions in the U.S., and has a more than $2 billion economic impact on the region and state.

Included in the new strategic plan are updated mission and vision statements reflecting Kennesaw State’s values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability, and serving as guides to achieving the plan’s goals. 

The heart of the strategic plan consists of five goals the university will achieve over the coming years:

• Create a learning environment where students thrive through a comprehensive approach to innovation and enhancements to curriculum, student success and progression, graduate program support and development, career preparation, and innovative teaching and learning methods.
• Conduct innovative research that advances society through increased external research funding, productivity, capacity, and impact; growing commercialization, entrepreneurial initiatives, and ventures; and expanding opportunities and resources for student research at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Enhance and inspire our community through meaningful engagement and a community-focused culture; building community and school spirit among students, employees, alumni, and the community; creating and expanding campus traditions; and expanding student support programs, including for mental health and well-being.
• Enhance institutional influence and prominence by growing and strengthening institutional ties with regional and state leaders, supporters, and the public; sharing the value and heart of KSU through effective communications; and enhancing the impact of intercollegiate athletics.
• Advance a sustainable, adaptable, and operationally efficient institution by increasing operational effectiveness and sustainable practices; optimizing information systems and strategy; strengthening impact and stewardship of financial resources; and enhancing the physical environment including instruction, research, student housing, and community spaces.

Implementation of the strategic plan across KSU units and departments is the next step. Supported by the expertise of cabinet-led divisions, the initiatives will germinate in every academic, operational, and administrative department. 

This fall, each unit will develop tactical and measurable objectives that advance each goal, and identify the processes, practices, and technologies that best enable activation and regular tracking and assessment measures. Reaching the plan’s goals offers opportunities for contributions from every member of the university community.

“Campus champions are ready to help steer our path, but this plan belongs to all of us.” Schwaig said. “Many voices, insights, and aspirations helped craft our path forward and now, under the guidance of our campus champions, this community will collectively bring the strategic plan into reality through our work.”

As the third largest of the University System of Georgia’s 26 institutions, KSU’s strategic plan embraces the USG’s strategic priorities of boosting student success, responsible use of resources, economic competitiveness, and community impact.

“Together we will ensure that KSU grows in our prominence and that our name is synonymous with academic and operational excellence – and that a KSU degree has more and more value with each graduating class,” Schwaig said. “It is the commitment we make to each graduate who crosses this stage, to each donor who supports the university, and to the communities and state we so proudly serve. And it is a commitment we intend to keep as our reach grows.”

Story by Susie Ivy and Gary Tanner

Photos by Darnell Wilburn and Matt Yung

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 45,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.