Colorado State University is creating its future while honoring its past, with a bold plan built on a Green and Gold vision of a sustainable, thriving planet (the green) and a flourishing humanity (the gold) and calling for nothing less than a strategic transformation.
CSU President Joyce McConnell presented the Courageous Strategic Transformation plan to the CSU System Board of Governors at its Feb. 3 meeting, and presented it to the campus community on March 1. Board Chair Kim Jordan commended both the plan and the process that led to its development.
“This process has been truly exceptional in its inclusion, and paints a bold and compelling future for CSU,” Jordan said.
“This process has been truly exceptional in its inclusion, and paints a bold and compelling future for CSU.”
–KIM JORDAN
McConnell said she was proud to introduce the Board to “a bold action plan” that clearly demonstrates that CSU “has the courage and conviction our world needs.”
“My vision is that in five years, Colorado State will lead the world on solutions to global climate change and student success for meaningful careers and lives,” McConnell told the Board. “We will be at the forefront of solutions to the most challenging issues in student access and success, health, agriculture and rural community development. And we will do all these things while remaining devoted and adept caretakers of our state.”
Describing the Courageous Strategic Transformation as the “North Star” that will guide CSU toward a bright and bold future, McConnell also emphasized the plan’s foundational commitment to the land-grant mission.
“First and foremost, our mission is to serve students by providing inclusive access, success and lifelong learning,” McConnell said. “We are planting our flag as leaders in solving the world’s most pressing challenges. And we are asserting Colorado State University as an aspirational university and community, ready to claim our place as world-class.”
Transformational priorities
Courageous Strategic Transformation identifies four strategic imperatives, each with an overarching goal:
- People and Culture: Creating a thriving and inclusive community
- Financial and Operational Excellence: Ensuring a sustainable foundation for growth and inspiration
- Innovation: Driving innovation in learning, discovery and engagement
- Impact: Serving our community locally and globally
People and Culture
Creating a thriving and
inclusive community
Financial and
Operational Excellence
Ensuring a sustainable foundation
for growth and inspiration
Innovation
Driving innovation in learning,
discovery and engagement
Impact
Serving our community
locally and globally
CSU’s sweeping reach outside of Fort Collins – through the Mountain Campus, statewide Extension offices, Agricultural Experiment Station sites, the CSU Todos Santos Center in Baja Sur, Mexico, and the CSU Spur campus at the National Western Center in Denver – is also included in the strategic plan.
Jenelle Beavers, CSU vice president for strategy, led the process of developing Courageous Strategic Transformation as a collaborative blueprint. Members of the CSU community contributed through meetings, comments, surveys, and open forum sessions.
“It’s incredibly ambitious to include thousands of people in a strategic planning process, and I’m thrilled with where we’ve landed,” Beavers said. “I’m most struck by the consensus that emerged. Our community shares the goals and strategies articulated in the Courageous Strategic Transformation. That’s incredibly exciting.”