A message from President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr.
Education for Citizenship 2035
Education for Citizenship 2035
This strategic plan framework was informed by feedback from the Ohio State community and external partners, and is rooted in the university's shared values. This collaborative approach will continue through the launch of the strategic plan in July 2025 and after.
Dear Buckeyes:
Ohio State's motto of “Education for Citizenship” speaks directly to our founding mission as a land-grant university and comes with the inherent charge to evolve and advance in ways that continue to benefit Ohioans, our nation and the world. This inspiring meaning is why our motto will be our North Star for the next 10 years as we define the future of higher education at Ohio State and serve as a model for the nation.
The Education for Citizenship 2035 strategic plan framework reflects the need to always push ourselves as Buckeyes. Working together, we will ensure our families and communities continue to thrive. That is our commitment as a land-grant university, and that is the meaning of Education for Citizenship.
I look forward to shaping this exciting future with all of you.
Ted
Approach and Timeline
Between January 2024 and June 2035, strategic planning, implementation and ongoing evaluation are designed to unfold over four phases.
Phase 1
Completed | January ‒ October 2024
Institutional Listening Sessions and Strategic Plan Workshops
Phase 2
Completed | April ‒ November 2024
Development of the strategic plan's vision, themes and priorities
Strategic plan framework shared at the Presidential Investiture
Phase 3
Ongoing | November 2024 ‒ June 2025
Develop strategic initiatives, plans and key performance indicators
Launch institutional strategic initiatives on July 1, 2025
Phase 4
Next Step | July 2025 ‒ June 2035
Share key metrics
Monitor and evaluate performance outcomes
Continuous assessment and adaptation of the plan
Communicate the plan's progress on a regular basis
Engagement and Feedback
From January ‒ October 2024, the university conducted listening sessions and workshops with students, faculty, staff, alumni and constituents representing various offices, departments, units and external partners. Based on the data collected — and guided by the university’s shared values — the strategic plan’s vision, themes and priorities were developed.
Alumni Advisory Council
Alumni Association Board
Alumni Volunteers
Athletics
Board of Trustees
Donors
Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge
Government and Community Officials
Office of Academic Affairs and Deans
President's Cabinet
President's and Provost's Council on Women
President and Provost's Advisory Committee
Student Consultation Panel
Student Government Leadership
The Ohio State University Foundation Board
University Senate Faculty Council
University Staff Advisory Committee
Wexner Medical Center
Strategic Plan Framework
With our motto of “Education for Citizenship” as our inspiration, we will meet the challenges facing our university and higher education today. In doing so, we will define the future of higher education at Ohio State and serve as a model for the nation.
Strategic Vision
Educate the next generation of citizens
Build a model working and learning environment
Advance research, creativity and innovation that improve and save lives
Embrace our land-grant mission
Themes
Academics
Research and Creative Expression
Health Care
Talent and Culture
Operations
Collegiate Athletics
Priorities
Accessibility
Student Success
Workforce Development
Outreach and Engagement
Affordability
Performance Excellence and Resource Stewardship
Workplace of Choice
Service to the State of Ohio
Initiatives, Action Plans and Key Performance Indicators
Within the priorities and in collaboration with members of the Ohio State community, the university will develop strategic initiatives and action plans.
The university will develop key performance indicators to measure the progress of strategic initiatives.
Begin launching strategic initiatives on July 1, 2025.
Shared Values
Guiding principles and behaviors that will guide actions and decision making.
Ohio State’s strategic plan will be built on six themes:
Academics
Creating a teaching-and-learning environment accessible and affordable to all that achieves both academic excellence and a strong focus on workforce development.
Research and Creative Expression
Building and expanding Ohio State’s research capacity and artistic creativity to achieve new levels of state, federal and global significance in emerging and meaningful areas of discovery.
Health Care
Advancing exemplary academics, research and clinical care in Ohio and nationally at the Wexner Medical Center and health sciences colleges — in coordination with the medical center’s strategic plan.
Talent and Culture
Establishing Ohio State as a destination workplace for highly qualified faculty and staff, as well as a community with the highest standards of respect for one another and diversity of thought.
Operations
Making a large, complex university more effective through excellence in resource stewardship, new revenue generation, leadership, and advanced support from alumni and partners.
Collegiate Athletics
Elevating Ohio State as the nation’s foremost leader in student-athlete development, achievement and support, while continuing to adapt to the evolving state of the intercollegiate athletics model.