Office of the President

Implementation Process 2026-2031

Office of the President Separator A slash icon used to separate content Strategic Plan Separator A slash icon used to separate content UMW Strategic Action Plan Implementation Process, 2026-2031

UMW Strategic Action Plan Implementation Process, 2026-2031

Building on the foundation of the 2022-2027 strategic vision and the President’s identified strategic priorities, UMW will engage in a comprehensive 9-month action planning process beginning September 2025. This focused approach will develop detailed implementation plans for four strategic priorities, ensuring broad stakeholder engagement while creating actionable roadmaps for institutional advancement.

Four Strategic Priorities for Action Planning

Priority 1: Revolutionizing the Liberal Arts for the AI era

The liberal arts must evolve to meet this moment and beyond. Our graduates need more than knowledge—they need adaptive capacities to thrive in a world transformed by technology, shaped by global capitalism and challenged by civic fragmentation. This priority focuses on further developing essential literacies, expanding hands-on learning, and positioning the humanities and arts as vital to human flourishing in the digital age.

Priority 2: Serving Regional and Commonwealth Workforce Needs

As Virginia’s fastest-growing region, Fredericksburg requires educational partnerships that develop talent and drive economic vitality. UMW will expand programs, credentials, and pathways addressing critical workforce needs while enhancing outcomes for students.

Priority 3: Cultivating Community, Engagement, Belonging and School Spirit

A thriving campus culture is essential to student success and institutional vitality. We will create environments—physical, social, and experiential—where every student finds community, develops identity, and builds lasting connections to UMW.

Priority 4: Building Campus Infrastructure for Tomorrow

A quarter-billion-dollars of investments in our physical and digital infrastructure will create spaces where 21st-century learning thrives and position UMW as the intellectual and cultural hub of the region.

*Priority numbering updated with the January 2026 draft.

Thank you to the many staff, faculty and students contributing to this action plan process.

Governance and Leadership Structure

Steering Committee

  • Co-chairs: VP of Strategy McClurken & Provost O’Donnell
  • University Faculty Council chair Jonathan Levin
  • University Staff Council president Lauren Bass
  • Student Government president Amira Said
  • Other Implementation Group chairs (VP for Student Affairs Walsh, VP for Admin and Finance Long, Associate Provost Young)

Board of Visitors Role

  • Board of Visitors updates at regularly scheduled meetings
  • Board Executive Committee check-in meeting in January 2026 for process review and guidance
  • Final approval authority for action plan at June 2026 Board meeting

Strategic Priority Implementation Groups

Priority 1 Group: Enhancing and adapting UMW’s liberal arts mission

  • Group Lead: Provost, Tim O’Donnell
  • Professor of Communications and Director, Center for AI and the Liberal Arts, Anand Rao
  • Director of Center for Career and Professional Development, Michael Dunn
  • Director of First-Year Admissions, Sarah Lindberg
  • Center for Teaching Director, Victoria Russell
  • Professor of Anthropology and Associate Dean for Humanities and Social Sciences, Laura Mentore
  • Assistant Director, CIE, Sarah Moran
  • Professor of Math and Director of Undergraduate Programs, COB, Randall Helmstutler,
  • Mary Washington Health Care Director of Graduate Education, Stephanie Goldberg,
  • Student Representative, Adelaide (Ada) Gill

Priority 2 Group: Meeting future workforce needs of the region and Commonwealth

  • Group Lead: Associate Provost Kimberly Young
  • Dean College of Education & Human Development, Pete Kelly
  • Dean College of Business, Filiz Tabak
  • Dean College of Arts and Sciences, Keith Mellinger
  • AVP Alumni and Donor Engagement, Mark Thaden
  • Assoc Dean of Graduate Admissions, Christy Pack
  • Senior Lecturer of Management and Marketing, UFC Representative, Kimberly Kinsley
  • Community representatives
    • Chip Boyles, George Washington Regional Commission
    • Todd Gillingham, Fredericksburg Regional Alliance
  • Student Representative, Abby Powers

Priority 3 Group: Student engagement, campus life, and school pride

  • Group Lead: Vice President for Student Affairs, Michael Walsh
  • Dean for Academic Success and Integrity, Wes Hillyard
  • Associate Professor of Biology, FYS/FYE Director, UFC Parliamentarian, April Wynn
  • Dean of Students, Melissa Jones
  • Dean of Admissions. Melissa Yakabouski
  • Associate Provost of Community Relations & Compliance, Shavonne Shorter
  • Chair and Professor of Music, Brooks Kuykendall
  • Executive Director of University Communications, Amy Jessee
  • Student Representative, Ashley Lam

Priority 4 Group: Modernizing infrastructure and creating a 21st-Century Campus

  • Group Lead: Vice President for Administration and Finance, Jacob Long
  • Chief of Staff, VP Strategy, Professor of History & American Studies, Jeffrey McClurken
  • AVP for Facilities, Brian Gorham
  • Dean of Residence Life, Dave Fleming
  • CIO, Jonathan Piersol
  • DLS Director, Jerry Slezak
  • Director of Compliance, Ruth Davison
  • Director of the Library, Amy Filiatreau
  • Professor of Biology and Director of Rodgers School of Science, Lynn Lewis
  • Senior Lecturer of Cultural and Philosophical Inquiry, UFC Secretary, Michael Reno
  • Student Representative, Natalie Froustet

    Updates will be shared through campus email and newsletters.

    In the Office of the President