In the fall of 2023, Acting Chancellor Dr. Heather Norris—who was serving as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor at the time—charged members of the Academic Affairs team to develop a process for collecting ideas, thoughts, and wants about the future of Academic Affairs over the next three, five, and ten years and then create a draft Strategic Plan for Academic Affairs through a collaborative process that would help to inform future academic programs. Following a dozen well-attended listening sessions on both the Boone and Hickory campuses and online, a draft plan emerged focusing on five goals:
- Enhance workforce development, collaboration, and career readiness.
- Embrace flexibility and universal practices
- Promote systems thinking, and address complex problems.
- Cultivate innovation and forward movement.
- Enhance student success and wellbeing.