WSU updates strategic plan; retires Drive to 25

In the 2022 update to the system strategic plan, the university is formally retiring the Drive to 25 initiative.

To empower the Washington State University system to reach its highest goals, the 2022 update to the system strategic plan includes a new vision statement and retires the Drive to 25 initiative. The 2020–2025 WSU System Strategic Plan calls for an annual update to keep the plan relevant amidst changing conditions.

“The best plans in the world are measurable, dynamic and change with the times. It’s important for us to do the same,” said Kirk Schulz, President of the Washington State University system. 

With a focus on leveraging the OneWSU system structure, the new vision statement reflects a deep commitment to WSU’s land-grant mission of a practical education for all, scholarly inquiry that benefits society and sharing our expertise to benefit state and global communities:  

Washington State University will deepen and expand its impact by building on the strengths of each campus and location for a stronger Washington state and global community.  

“Our vision needs to reflect the reality of our interconnected campuses, which means each campus needs to have a little more autonomy and ability to chart its own path. We want to make sure this fundamental principle is reflected in our vision statement. We’re proud of our land-grant mission and proud of being part of Washington state,” said Schulz.  

In the 2022 update to the system strategic plan, the university is formally retiring the Drive to 25 initiative. A lot was accomplished as part of the Drive to 25, which provides a solid foundation upon which WSU’s new vision statement was built.

“We recognize and celebrate the incredible work done throughout the WSU system as a part of Drive to 25. There are many ways we worked toward that vision and a lot we were able to accomplish,” said Christine Hoyt, Vice President for Strategy, Planning, and Analysis. “Our new vision builds on the work that has been done and is something we can all continue to be a part of.”

To help the university focus on the four goals of its strategic plan, four system-level priorities were introduced in November with the strategic plan annual report. The WSU System Strategic Plan Coordinating Council is developing strategies to align with these four system priorities; the Office of Strategy, Planning, and Analysis is also formalizing models for integrated planning and a system planning cycle to bring attention and consistency to strategic planning.

See the updated WSU system strategic plan on the Strategy, Planning, and Analysis website.

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