The University of West Georgia is looking toward the future with a new strategic planning process called UWG Next.
The goal of UWG Next is to help decide where the university is headed over the next five years and beyond. The timing is especially important as UWG gets closer to celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2031.
What Is UWG Next?
UWG Next is designed to give students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members a chance to have a say in the university’s future.
Instead of making decisions without input from the people who make up the UWG community, the university is currently focused on listening and gathering ideas.
The university wants to understand what is working, what could be improved and what people want to see from UWG in the years ahead.
Five Areas of Focus
UWG Next is built around five major priorities known as the university’s “Big Rocks.”
Those areas are Student Success, Research and Innovation, Economic Development and Community Engagement, Athletics, and the Arts.
Student Success focuses on helping students grow academically, personally and professionally from the time they enroll through graduation.
Research and Innovation focuses on new discoveries, creativity and opportunities to make an impact.
Economic Development and Community Engagement looks at UWG’s relationship with West Georgia and the surrounding community.
Athletics is another major part of the plan. UWG wants to continue building school pride and creating opportunities through its Division I athletic programs.
The Arts are also included, with a focus on making campus and the surrounding community more connected through culture and creativity.
Students Have a Chance to Speak Up
One of the biggest parts of UWG Next is getting feedback from the UWG community.
The university plans to hold listening sessions and feedback opportunities as the process continues. Students will have opportunities to share their thoughts about the future of UWG.
That could mean talking about academics, campus life, student activities, athletics, the arts or anything else that could make the UWG experience better.
For students, this is a chance to have their voices heard before the university creates its next strategic plan.
What Happens Next?
UWG Next will happen in several stages.
The first stage focuses on listening and discovering what students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members want from the university.
After that, UWG will review the feedback and look for common ideas and areas that need attention.
The university will then work on a draft of the strategic plan before making final changes and eventually adopting the plan.
As the process continues, UWG says it will provide updates and more opportunities for people to get involved.
For now, the message behind UWG Next is pretty simple: the future of UWG is something the university wants its community to help shape.
So if you have ever thought about what could make UWG better, this could be your chance to say something.
To learn more about UWG Next and find out how to get involved, visit the UWG Next website.
