Already world renowned as a center of education, research and innovation, the University of Washington’s next era will focus on expanding access and affordability for students; building partnerships that enrich people’s lives; transforming the health of patients and well-being of communities; and improving its effectiveness in stewarding public and private investments.
President Robert J. Jones unveiled these goals in a strategic plan that sets out the University’s priorities through 2030. The plan highlights a vision of the University meant to bring people, ideas and technologies together in innovative ways to improve the lives of people across Washington state and beyond. These priorities position the UW to continue leading with boldness, imagination and excellence amid technological transformation, rapid scientific progress, medical advances, climate change and urgent societal needs.
“To make this bold vision a reality, the people, programs and enterprise that make up the UW will further these priorities in classrooms, labs, clinics and communities — supporting UW students, strengthening the state’s workforce, deepening partnerships with industry and community, and advancing the research and ideas that improve lives across Washington and the world,” Jones said.
The plan is organized around four pillars:
Delivering high-quality, debt-free education that unlocks opportunity
Today, about 70% of UW undergraduate students graduate debt-free. The UW wants to increase that percentage, prioritizing Washington undergraduate students and working toward a future where every undergraduate enters the workforce without the burden of paying off student loans.
The UW will help students graduate debt-free through greater financial support for undergraduate, graduate and professional students, more flexible degree and training pathways, and increasing the number of students who graduate on time. The UW will expand its support for a debt-free education by building on successful programs like Husky Promise, which guarantees full tuition and standard fees will be covered by grant or scholarship support for eligible students from the state of Washington.
Engaging in radical collaborations for breakthroughs and public benefit
Across the University, students, faculty and staff will look to deepen long-term partnerships grounded in shared goals with organizations both on its campuses and off. These include the UW’s relationships with industry and government leaders, other academic and scientific centers in Washington, and community partners statewide and around the world.
For example, just last month, the UW College of Education broke ground on the Rainier Rising Early Learning Campus in South Seattle, a one-of-a-kind early childhood education hub dedicated to serving children and the community while providing hands-on educational opportunities for UW students.
Through strong cross-sector partnerships, the UW will expand its work to accelerate breakthroughs in science, technology and creative work and offer vital analysis for public decision-making. And the UW will make strategic investments to support communities, fuel the state’s economy, address complex challenges and generate long-lasting public impact. Taken as a whole, these efforts will help set new standards for how universities work with communities to build a healthier, more equitable and more sustainable future.
Strengthening healthier communities where everyone can thrive
Residents throughout the Northwest and people from around the nation and world already rely on UW Medicine for the highest quality healthcare, world-class medical education and breakthrough therapies. However, communities across Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho — which are served by WWAMI, the UW School of Medicine’s innovative multi-state medical education program — face growing healthcare workforce shortages, rapid technological change and persistent inequities. These challenges affect people’s health and quality of life, as well as the well-being of entire communities. By expanding access to high-quality care, increasing the number of health providers practicing in the region, and addressing the broader societal and environmental conditions that affect health and well-being, the UW will ensure innovation improves lives and helps communities thrive.
UW Medicine and the UW’s health sciences schools also will collaborate more deeply with partners across the University to harness big data, AI and emerging technologies to accelerate breakthroughs that lead to improved outcomes. By bringing together research and expertise across disciplines, researchers can better understand and respond to the interconnected factors that shape how long and how well people live.
As an example, this sort of work already is happening at the Kren Engineering-based Medicine Initiative (KEMi), a collaboration between the UW School of Medicine and the College of Engineering. KEMi seeks to leverage innovative technologies to develop creative solutions to prevent and alleviate human suffering from disease and injury, and to create an enduring and unparalleled environment to promote collaborations between clinicians and engineers to transform the future of health and healthcare.
There’s also a need to improve civic health and community well-being through interdisciplinary education, research and practices that address the social, environmental, economic and health factors contributing to inequities in opportunity, resilience, sustainability and social connectedness.
Stewarding and growing the people and resources that support our mission and strategic initiatives
As one of the top employers in the region and a driving force in supporting local economies, the UW’s vast portfolio includes tens of thousands of faculty, students and staff; state and federal financial investments; and campuses and facilities that create lasting value for Washington, the nation and the world. The UW generates $21 billion each year in economic impact statewide
As a public university, the UW has a responsibility to steward the investments provided by taxpayers, students and donors. Efforts to support this pillar include improving systems and services and strengthening the University’s financial future, work that is underway as part of the Operational Excellence initiative. The UW will also build a more supportive and inclusive culture for students and employees, by making it easier to access academic offerings, resources and collaborative experiences across the University. At the same time, the University will foster a workplace where employees have the support and opportunities they need to grow professionally, contribute effectively and sustain their well-being throughout their UW careers. Ultimately, this pillar supports the other three pillars by strengthening the University’s long-term resilience and capacity.
Plan background and next steps
The strategic plan is the result of more than a year of collaborative work. Members of the UW community came together to discuss where the University should focus its future efforts. Many students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners participated in surveys, listening sessions, working groups and other engagement opportunities to help shape this direction.
Provost Tricia Serio and President Jones will guide implementation of the plan organized around the four pillars, and cross-functional working groups will bring together expertise from throughout the institution to advance shared objectives, goals and actions.
“This is a time of extraordinary possibility, and focusing on these strategic priorities positions the UW to meet the needs of the moment by drawing on our strengths and with vision, accountability and care,” Serio said.