UVA president names committee to help compose University’s next strategic plan
The 22 members include faculty, staff, Board of Visitors members and students from all corners of Grounds.
Grounds for Conversation and
Strategic Planning at UVA
Following his election as the University of Virginia’s 10th president, Scott Beardsley launched Grounds for Conversation, a listening and learning initiative to gather feedback and insights from the University community.
President Beardsley’s conversation with the UVA community began on its Grounds in Charlottesville — at the heart of the Academical Village. His tour continues in fall 2026 as he connects with students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, friends and other stakeholders across UVA, the commonwealth, the nation and the world.
Building on the Grounds for Conversation effort, Beardsley formally chartered the Strategic Planning Committee in July 2026 to expand stakeholder engagement and synthesize insights. This 22-member group of faculty, staff and student leaders will provide recommendations for UVA's next comprehensive strategic plan, setting the stage for excellence across all dimensions of the University for decades to come.
Writing the Next Chapter for UVA
The strategic planning process aims to realize the full potential of UVA’s mission as the nation’s premier public university, a top-tier global research and educational institution and an elite academic medical system.
“The University of Virginia is a national treasure and one of the greatest universities in the world. Together, we will write the next chapter of this incredible university and amplify our global impact and mission of education, research, patient care, and public service.”
President Scott Beardsley
Core Strategic Priorities
The strategic plan will set forth an integrated set of choices and actions, with resource plans, designed to fulfill the full potential of the University’s mission.
The plan will address critical macroeconomic shifts and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on education and medicine, among other external influences.
To guide the process, Beardsley has laid out several key early priorities, including:
- Academic and Research Excellence: Faculty excellence, robust research infrastructure and the pursuit of life-changing discoveries.
- The UVA Experience: Access, affordability, an exceptional student experience and outstanding Division I athletics.
- World-Class Patient Care: Advancing the clinical and medical enterprise across the commonwealth and UVA Health, proudly recognized as the No. 1 hospital in Virginia.
- Service to the commonwealth and Beyond: Reinforcing UVA’s foundational commitment to public service and impact across Virginia and the globe.
- Connected Grounds: A new initiative designed to seamlessly link the University’s physical campus, virtual platforms and intellectual community.
- Global Opportunities: Global education, research collaboration, partnerships and impact.
The strategic plan will integrate the distinct strategies of the UVA academic division, the College at Wise and UVA Health into a seamless institutional blueprint for the future.
The work will build upon the strategic frameworks established by President Emeritus Jim Ryan in 2019 and President Emerita Teresa Sullivan in 2013.
Timeline and Milestones
“This is not a ‘blue sky’ exercise or strategy by committee; rather, it is an intentional effort to build an integrated, well-resourced blueprint for excellence.”
President Scott Beardsley
Listening Tour Launch
January 2026 President Beardsley began the "Grounds for Conversation" listening tour across UVA Grounds, the commonwealth of Virginia and alumni communities in the United States and abroad. The listening tour continues in fall 2026.
Committee Charter
Summer 2026 President Beardsley meets with the newly appointed Strategic Planning Committee to lock in its agenda and scope. The committee has launched a new online survey that builds on the listening tour insights and requests community input into how UVA can best achieve the full potential of its mission. That survey can be filled out through August 25.
Committee Community Engagement
Fall 2026 The committee officially begins its work as the fall semester opens and will invite the community to virtual and in-person conversations about the future of UVA.
Synthesis and Refinement
Winter 2026-2027 The committee presents initial findings — informed by community feedback, the president’s guidance, Board of Visitors discussions, and environmental analysis — that will provide a foundation to define UVA’s strategy and the actions required to ensure the long-term success of the University aligned with its mission.
Board Review and Final Approval
April 2027 The strategic plan is presented to the UVA Board of Visitors for official review and approval.
Strategic Planning Framework
UVA is a premier public university and a $7.1 billion enterprise guided by its mission. It has two main engines:
- An academic institution comprised of the flagship university, the College at Wise and an award-winning sports program
- A healthcare system that serves 1.8M patients per year and provides elite clinical care
Three drivers keep those engines running smoothly:
- World-class asset management
- Global brand and reputation
- A community of trust that is an engine of opportunity, an economic anchor and a model for higher education
“By focusing on our fundamentals — our engines and the drivers that keep them running at peak performance — we ensure that everything we do supports our noble mission.”
President Scott Beardsley
What We’re Hearing
“UVA has a unique position in an age of AI that could unite our strengths in student-centered learning, civic leadership, policy engagement and judgment. We need to tap into that and amplify it.”
Faculty member
“Upping our resources for exceptional graduate students has moved the needle on competing for the very best doctoral students, which powers our research engine.”
Faculty member
“We need more resources for students to pursue internships and experiential learning so that they are better prepared.”
Staff member
“UVA needs to fly its global flag.”
Alumnus
“We need to ensure the safety of pedestrian traffic as UVA grows in Charlottesville.”
Student
“The biotech boom is a massive opportunity for UVA.”
Staff member
Related News
UVA’s president outlines foundation for his leadership plan
Speaking to the Board of Visitors, Scott Beardsley detailed his initial ideas for a path forward for the state’s flagship university.
UVA president off to an impressive start with ‘Grounds for Conversation’
Scott Beardsley is meeting with the University community across Grounds, the state and the nation to learn about their areas, interests and priorities.
‘First Coffee’ launches Scott Beardsley’s first full week as UVA’s 10th president
Drawing on a tradition from his years as dean of the Darden School of Business, Beardsley brought “First Coffee” to the Office of the President.