A Dynamic Process
Built into Iowa State’s nine-year strategic plan is a regular process to invite new ideas that respond to a dynamic state, nation and world landscape, and that help the university achieve what it aspires “to be.”
The nine-year strategic plan features a project proposal process to advance the plan’s goals and assure flexibility to address evolving priorities. Calls for future proposals are announced campuswide. The proposal form allows Iowa State faculty and staff the opportunity to propose a project aligned with the strategic plan for funding consideration.
What brings our plan alive is the inclusion of a strategic process to regularly capture new ideas to help us achieve what we aspire to be. I encourage you to be creative, think innovatively, and take the opportunity to submit your ideas. Thank you in advance — for your important role in demonstrating our impact as we make progress on our aspirations … for moving us closer to what Iowa State University wants to be.
— Wendy Wintersteen, President
Success Factors
Tracking progress on our “to be” statements will involve measuring success factors for each and creating consonance with university investment strategies. For each statement, the university will track metrics that align with the broader priorities and specific objectives in the Iowa Board of Regents’ 2022-2027 Strategic Plan, as well as success factors unique to the programs at Iowa State.
In the first three years of the plan, President Wintersteen invested $16.5 million to strategic initiatives:
- $10.5 million in FY23, to 9 initial investments identified during the strategic plan process. Projects included strategies to boost enrollment; add high-demand degree programs; hire faculty in critical areas; build research teams and modernize research facilities.
- $3.9 million in FY24, to 19 projects selected from proposals submitted by faculty/staff. Projects include expanding student academic and mental health services, supporting interdisciplinary research, assisting Iowa communities, and improving university child care facilities.
- $2.1 million in second-year funds in FY25 for 12 projects selected a year ago for their potential to advance the plan.