Education for Citizenship 2035

A message from President Walter TedCarter Jr.


Ohio State President Ted Carter

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.