OSU Strategy: Next Steps
Guiding OSU’s Strategic Vision
President Hess recently launched a comprehensive strategic planning process to explore OSU’s strengths and opportunities and position it for future success. This plan will position OSU to remain a leader in higher education and a model for land-grant universities across the nation.
While the current strategic plan has guided significant progress, the higher education
landscape continues to evolve. During the remainder of the 2025-2026 academic year,
we will advance OSU's land-grant mission by creating a comprehensive roadmap to better
serve students and strengthen our institution.
Throughout this process, we will engage OSU students, faculty and staff, the OSU/A&M
Board of Regents, alumni, donors, community and legislative partners, and leaders
from across our System campuses. Together, we will set clear goals for what OSU will
look like in the next five years.
A systemwide coordinating committee will lead and coordinate this work, guiding discussions,
gathering input and ensuring a thoughtful, inclusive process. Grounded in the principles
of the Cowboy Code, the committee and the broader OSU community will approach this
effort with a commitment to doing what is right for OSU students and stakeholders.
Working Groups
We believe the strongest strategy is one shaped by those closest to the work. That’s why this plan is being built with faculty and staff across OSU – not just leadership. The strategic plan coordinating committee will form working groups in various topic areas to provide brainstorming opportunities and collaborative conversations about OSU’s strengths, opportunities and vision for the future. The resulting conversations will guide priorities in the upcoming strategic plan.
Working groups will explore topics that align with The Code Calls campaign pillars:
Living the Cowboy Way
Group 1 - Strengthening the Cowboy Family: People, culture, and reputation
Megan Horton and Hanchen Huang
Group 2 - As big as the sky thinking: Bold ideas and strategic opportunities
John Veenstra and Stephen Perkins
Creating Life-Changing Opportunities
Group 3 - Enhancing the student experience: Student access, student success and student experience
Jennifer McClendon and Shannon Baker
Group 4 - Advancing educational opportunities and partnerships: Academic programs, workforce alignment and graduate/professional education
Stephen Clarke and Jeff Stroup
Leading with Humility
Group 5 - System identity: Defining the future of the OSU System
Ronna Vanderslice and Chris Francisco
Group 6 - Emerging technologies: Leveraging technology innovation, cybersecurity, AI, data analytics and more
Larry Burns and Charles McCann
Powering Progress
Group 7 - Land-grant excellence: Research, extension, and public impact
Kenneth Sewell and Scott Senseman
Group 8 - Efficiency and growth: Financial sustainability and operational effectiveness
Tracie Brown and Kelly Murphy
Timeline
The planning process will unfold in six phases throughout the remainder of the 2025-2026 academic year.
- Launch and Strategic Review
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Working Group Development
- Upcoming Dates:
- EAB Survey Distribution late January
- EAB Open Forums February 2-3
- Strategic Framework Development
- Tactical Planning and System Alignment
- Review and Governance Approval
- Launch and Implementation
Upcoming Events
- Faculty Forums
- Monday, Feb. 2 | 9:00-10:30 a.m. | Jorns Hall (180 NRD) In Person Only
- Monday, Feb. 2 | 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Zoom Only
- Tuesday, Feb. 3 | 3:30-5:00 p.m. | Jorns Hall (180 NRD) In Person Only
- Staff Forums
- Monday, Feb. 2 | 2:00-3:30 p.m. | Jorns Hall (180 NRD) In Person Only
- Tuesday, Feb. 3 | 9:00–10:30 a.m. | Jorns Hall (180 NRD)In Person Only
- Tuesday, Feb. 3 | 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Zoom Only
- EAB Strategic Plan Survey (Faculty, Staff, Students)
- Faculty/ Staff: Tuesday, Jan. 27 - 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb 10
- Students: Thursday, Feb. 12 - 5 p.m. Friday, Feb 20
Have an idea? Send a message to strategicplan@okstate.edu.