The University of Colorado Colorado Springs 2030 Strategic Plan lays out a vision for the future of our university that builds on our core mission: to provide high-quality, accessible education; to advance knowledge; integrate student learning with the spirit of discovery; and to serve our community. These goals form our shared journey—our climb toward the summit of the Success 2030 plan.
As part of the 2030 Strategic Plan, Four Pillars were identified to help guide this work: Strategic and Sustainable Growth, Research & Creative Excellence, Organizational Excellence, and Culture of Care. These four pillars provide focus for student success, faculty excellence, research, community partnerships, diversity and inclusion, operational effectiveness and financial sustainability, while remaining grounded in our mission.
Pillar One: Sustainable & Strategic Growth reaffirms our commitment to building an institution with a focus on sustainable, strategic growth that is committed to growth that strengthens enrollment, expands in-demand academic programs and strives for affordability for students. Through community partnerships, curricular innovation, expanded cutting-edge research contributions and diversified revenue streams, UCCS will attract and graduate more students while building a strong financial foundation.
Strategic Enrollment and Retention
In constant pursuit of increased retention and graduation on campus, UCCS has identified several avenues to support this goal. Integrating student service systems dedicated to recruiting, academic support, continuing enrollment and graduation services; strengthening online program offerings to meet the evolving academic and professional needs of students; and expanding the recruiting pipeline to include non-resident and international students and include K-12 outreach are just a few of these avenues.
- • The Strategic Enrollment Plan provides a roadmap to stabilize enrollment, strengthen UCCS’s fiscal and competitive position, and enhance the student experience through five imperatives focused on student journeys, academic innovation, recruitment, affordability and holistic student care.
- • Student Government Association (SGA) strives to faithfully and truthfully serve and represent students as they pursue their futures and to help improve their lives and enhance their experiences. SGA ensures they have a voice and platform to share their ideas and visions and represents student interests to a wide variety of audiences.
- • Expanding high demand academic programs like nursing and health sciences benefits students by expanding access to high-demand career pathways, provides more robust course offerings, and leads to high demand and retention, strong clinical site engagement and significant impact on community workforce.
Partnerships, Outreach and Distinctive Programming
Through partnerships and outreach, and distinctive programming, UCCS shows its commitment to fostering strong relationships with the campus, and Colorado Springs, community, and internal and external partners. The versatility of programs and opportunities, along with internships in many local industries, provides students with diverse options to pursue their future goals and a network to help support them.
- • The College of Business Academy provides lifelong learning opportunities to students, alumni, and community members through a microcredential platform. These credentials could build towards courses that may be used for credit for prior learning, and degree completion.
- • “Carry the Light,” UCCS’s recurring annual spring giving day, brings together alumni, donors, faculty & staff, current students and the Colorado Springs community to celebrate UCCS pride and our collective impact.
- • UCCS Downtown Executive Training is a 12-course series taught by various UCCS professors on topics such as budgeting, communications, project management and negotiation. Offering this outreach program connects community members with UCCS and shows prospective students a preview of curriculum and opportunities.
Financial Strength and Deliberate Investment
Deliberate investment and financial strength go hand-in-hand. By investing in new programs and updating existing ones with discernment, and in alignment with growing and in-demand industries, UCCS continuously makes efforts to optimize student opportunities while maintaining an informed budget that meets university standards.
- • College of Engineering Infrastructure Modernization and Expansion focuses on modernizing and expanding the infrastructure of the College of Engineering and Applied Science to provide students and faculty with cutting-edge facilities, labs and classrooms to develop theoretical, research and experiential learning skills necessary for career success in an increasingly tech-focused world.
- • The College of Public Service is elevating to new heights by investing in new career pathways that service regional employment priorities and build on the research of CPS faculty. CPS adopted a data-driven, stakeholder-informed decision-making model to revise existing degree offerings and identify critical growth areas that fit faculty research expertise, employer needs and student imagination.
Strategic and Sustainable Growth encompasses the intentional and cross collaborative work that is occurring with every college and division at UCCS. These initiatives are being highlighted on the Strategic Pillars Action Website, which showcases the intentional and measurable work that is being accomplished to advance all four of our pillars.