BOLDLY Unlocking Potential and Transforming Lives
Message from Vice President, Dr. Renique Kersh
This plan serves as the roadmap for our division aligning our resources, services and programs with critical strategic priorities. Our work supports the academic mission of the university, and is an important enabler for our collective achievement of BOLD MOVES (UMBC’s strategic plan).
Over the next three years and beyond, we will generate and leverage revenue to sustain and expand programming; ensure service delivery that is responsive to student’s evolving needs; equip our staff with the skills and knowledge necessary to do their best work; create opportunities for engagement, growth and partnership; and support the retention, persistence, completion and development of all UMBC students.
Our Strategic Priorities and Goals
Operational Effectiveness and Organizational Agility
We envision systems, services, and processes that are highly effective, modern, accessible, increase staff effectiveness, and enhance the student experience.
Goal: Deliver responsive, coordinated and high-quality services and programs.
Goal: Leverage resources to sustain and expand programs, services, and opportunities that enhance the student and staff experience.
Aligns with this UMBC strategic pillar: Cultivate organizational innovation and vitality
Thriving, Supportive, and Highly Effective Workforce
We envision an engaged, healthy workforce where staff feel welcomed, affirmed, and set up for success.
Goal: Develop a highly skilled workforce dedicated to student success.
Aligns with this UMBC strategic pillar: Cultivate organizational innovation and vitality
Student Success and a Culture of Care
We envision a coordinated and responsive network of support that fosters an ecosystem of care
and wellbeing.
Goal: Advance an inclusive and engaging environment that responds to the diverse needs, experiences, and aspirations of all students.
Goal: Foster a culture of community wellness.
Aligns with these UMBC strategic pillars: Grow student opportunity and success; Strengthen Maryland
and its communities
Transformative Experiences
We envision a community where all students have an opportunity to grow and develop skills that prepare them for career and professional success.
Goal: Prepare students to translate skills learned through co-curricular experiences to their future professional and civic lives.
Goal: Empower student agency, leadership innovation, and career-readiness through co-curricular programming.
Aligns with these UMBC strategic pillars: Grow student opportunity and success; Strengthen Maryland and its communities; Transform teaching and learning
Strategic Plan Dashboard (Coming late fall 2026!)
UMBC community members may use single sign on to view this dashboard.
Our Process
Our strategic plan process was built to be inclusive, deeply reflecting the lived experiences of our students and staff. Grounded in our division’s mission, vision, and commitments, the Strategic Plan Steering Committee hosted diverse feedback opportunities and analyzed key institutional data to shape our path forward. This collaborative effort resulted in Aligned for Impact, a divisional roadmap designed to advance UMBC’s strategic plan.
At the bedrock of this roadmap are our Divisional Commitments, which guide our strategic priorities to bridge learning, foster inclusivity, and prioritize well-being. By tightly uniting our shared values with our strategic goals, we remain dedicated to serving our students while Boldly Unlocking Potential and Transforming Lives.
Our Strategic Plan Steering Committee
Over the course of our plan development, the following individuals served on our committee chaired by Mary Ellen Wade, Director of Assessment and Planning:
- Jennifer Artis, Student Belonging
- Ricky Blissett, Center for Democracy and Civic Life
- Katie Chrzanowski, Student Affairs Communications and Marketing
- Marykate Conroy, Career Center
- Candace Doane, Student Engagement
- Mitchell Everett, Graduate Student Life
- Griselda Flores, Retriever Support Services
- Lesa Goodhue, Student Engagement
- Gina Hoagland, Administration and Auxiliary Services
- Briana Lawson, Staff Culture and Professional Wellbeing
- Dan Neeley, Student Affairs Communications and Marketing
- Vic Madrid, Retriever Integrated Health
- Shruti Shastri, Retriever Integrated Health
- Ann Tropea, Center for Democracy and Civic Life
- Hevin Wright, Residential Life