University of Nebraska-Lincoln launches initiative to set goals and priorities for the coming years

University of Nebraska-Lincoln faculty and staff participated in the first of three discussions for “Our Bold Path Forward,” the university’s newest initiative to help colleges and departments set “actionable goals and strategic priorities.”

The initiative is for the 2028-29 academic year, aligned closely with the NU System’s strategic plan, “Odyssey to Extraordinary.”

Interim UNL chancellor Kathy Ankerson addressed faculty and staff Friday morning, discussing how the new framework will guide decisions, resource allocation and priorities, which will roll out in July. She called attention to N2025, the previous strategic plan.

“I recognize the N2025 strategic plan did not provide a university-wide assessment or follow-up reports to the campus community in its final two years,” Ankerson said. “That communication gap was real, and it understandably affected trust.”

Friday's discussion focused on what attendees want for the university, what’s needed for university community success and how the strategic plan pillars align with faculty and staff goals.

“A big difference between the N2025 strategic plan and what Kathy Ankerson is doing now is that she is including multiple perspectives at the table, right? I think the last time we've done a strategic plan at UNL, it was a very small group,” UNL Staff Senate President Jessie Brophy said.

Brophy said she believes UNL staff were underrepresented, and that the inclusion of staff in these conversations is critical.

One attendee, Katie Anania, an associate professor of art history, discussed the university’s future encouraging conversation about the arts and humanities.

“I think there's a tendency in these big statements that a university makes about itself to minimize or forget about the important role that the arts and humanities play on in the intellectual life of campus," she said.

UNL has gone through multiple changes over the past year, from budget cuts to former chancellor Rodney Bennett’s resignation and the elimination of four Lincoln campus departments.

“There's a lot of cynicism on this campus because in the wake of these budget cuts, and so it's nice to just feel like you are an agent of and a driver in the conversation,” Anania said.

University community members can submit suggestions. The next discussions will be on April 10 in person and April 20 online.