Breadcrumb
UCM Strategic Plan 2026-2031
UCM's strategic plan is our roadmap for the future: a clear set of priorities that
align our mission, vision and values with the needs of our students and communities.
It helps us focus our resources, measure our progress and stay true to who we are
while adapting to change.
We invite all UCM students, faculty and staff to participate in this process as we
work to provide a transformative education, build a welcoming community and prepare
graduates who are redefining what's possible in Missouri and beyond.
The University of Central Missouri has begun developing its Strategic Plan for 2026–2031.
On the Central Speaks podcast, Dr. Ann McCoy shares the why, how and what's next of the UCM Strategic Planning process. Listen here on this page by clicking the player below or subscribe to Central Speaks wherever you get your podcasts:
Strategic Plan Timeline
| Activities | Stakeholders Involved | Outcomes |
| Planning - Getting Started (April-May 2025) | ||
| Senior Leadership Meet w/SPC Chair & Facilitator |
President, Provost and Vice President of Finance and Administration | Process Discussion and Preliminary Stakeholder Analysis |
| UCM 2031: Direction Setting - Establishing our "North Star" (May-June 2025) | ||
| President's Council: 1:1 Structured Interviews by SPC Members | President's Council | Feedback on Mission, Vision, Values, Imperatives and Opportunity Agenda |
| Stakeholder Engagement & Discovery (July-September 2025) | ||
| Stakeholder Feedback: Process and Data Collection by SPC members (surveys, interviews, focus groups) | Students, Faculty, Staff and External Stakeholders | Input on Mission, Vision, Values, Imperatives and Opportunity Agenda |
| Strategic Planning Work Session #1: Data Review & Preliminary Work (November 2025) | ||
| Facilitated Large-Scale Stakeholder Engagement Event | Mixed Stakeholder Representation (approx. 64 participants) | Input and Validation from Stakeholders on Mission, Vision, Values, Imperatives and Opportunity Agenda |
| Drafting the Elements & Framework of the Strategic Plan (December 2025-January 2026) | ||
| President's Council Feedback and Guidance on Strategic Plan | President's Council | First Draft of Strategic Plan with Focus on Revised Mission, Vision, Values, Imperatives and Opportunity Agenda with Metrics |
| Strategic Planning Work Session #2: Validation of the Elements & Framework of the Strategic Plan (February 2026) | ||
| Facilitated Large-Scale Stakeholder Engagement Event | Mixed Stakeholder Representation (approx. 64 participants) | Final Draft of Strategic Plan with Focus on Revised Mission, Vision, Values, Imperatives and Opportunity Agenda with Metrics |
| Program- / Unit-Level Ideation and Planning | ||
| Major Division Accelerators w/ SPC Member Facilitators to Support Unit-Level Planning |
All Individual Academic and Operating Units | Proposals from each Unit based on Opportunity Agenda with Program-Level Metrics |
| Strategic Planning Work Session #3: Review and Revise the Strategic Plan (May 2026) | ||
| Facilitated Large-Scale Stakeholder Validation | Mixed Stakeholder Representation (approx. 64 participants) | Final Review and Feedback on UCM Strategic Plan 2031 |
| Finalization of UCM Strategic Plan (May 2026) | ||
| Facilitated Review of and Feedback on UCM Strategic Plan 2031 | President's Council | Final UCM Strategic Plan 2031 |
| Presentation to UCM Board of Governors (June 13, 2026) | ||
| Facilitated Review of UCM Strategic Plan 2031 | President and Board of Governors | Approval of UCM Strategic Plan 2031 |
Participation
Success at UCM is a shared endeavor. To ensure our strategic plan reflects the diverse perspectives of our global community, we prioritized broad participation across every stage of development. We celebrate the 1,600 students, faculty, staff, alumni and community membres who shared their vision through our 2025 survey, as well as the dozens of stakeholders and more than 65 workgroup members who contributed their expertise. This collaborative effort ensures our path forward is grounded in the lived experience and aspirations of those we serve.
Have Questions?
Contact our Strategic Plan Chair:
Ann McCoy
Vice Provost, Academic Programs & Graduate Studies
