CAS Goals and 2024 Action Plan
The College of Arts & Sciences is the largest academic college at the University of Memphis with over 20 percent of the total UofM enrollment, faculty and staff, and external research funding/research activity. The 7 goals in the CAS strategic plan therefore correspond to those articulated in the University of Memphis strategic plan, Ascend. In 2024, CAS prioritizes 3-5 actions per goal as detailed in the following sections, with some actions associated with more than one goal. CAS will report on the outcomes of these actions near the end of 2024 as the CAS action plan for 2025 is developed.
Mission Statement
The College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Memphis is a dynamic hub of excellence in liberal arts and professional education, creative activity, and research across a spectrum from basic to applied. Our diverse community members engage with communities from local to global in scale and discover groundbreaking solutions to worldwide challenges. We empower students to think critically, develop skills valued in today’s workforce and become lifelong learners who can adapt to a rapidly changing world.
NOTE: There were 122 faculty, 32 staff, 51 alumni, and 5 students who provided feedback on the CAS mission statement options.
Vision Statement
The College of Arts & Sciences is a diverse and inclusive community of scholars who are deeply committed to excellence in collaborative, interdisciplinary, and ethically responsible liberal arts and sciences education and research. We leverage the combined strengths from our comprehensive main campus, Lambuth campus, and UMglobal programs that all provide excellence in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences to become a leader in high-impact research, student-centered teaching and learning, and workforce development. We envision our efforts will contribute to a world in which all people are educated and act as empathetic global citizens.
NOTE: There were 58 faculty, 18 staff, 30 alumni, and 9 students who provided feedback on the CAS vision statement options.
Goals
Visit the University of Memphis Strategic Plan page for full details on Ascend 2023 - 2028.
Grow enrollment while simultaneously improving student preparedness by pursuing a diversified and far-reaching recruiting strategy that emphasizes our university’s compelling value proposition.
Foster an exciting, all-encompassing student experience, that encourages students to persevere, grow and thrive while laying the foundations for future success and creating an enriching lifelong bond with the university.
Deliver a rigorous, practical, well-rounded and supportive academic experience through innovative programs and teaching methods that focus on student success and prepare our students for the workforce and graduate education.
Perform life-changing, interdisciplinary research and scholarship that is supported by world-class infrastructure and conducted by highly motivated researchers addressing the community and society’s greatest challenges.
Cultivate a respectful, supportive culture for our exceptional faculty and staff that recognizes and rewards excellence and success and that provides ample opportunities for personal growth, professional development, promotion and leadership.
Optimize operational efficiency and effectiveness through the establishment of high standards and expectations to maximize resource utilization and to uphold accountability.
Increase funding and improve resource allocation to fuel growth through better alignment of internal priorities and external funding opportunities, through funding diversification and through application of financial best practices.