The Utah Board of Higher Education officially approved its new strategic plan for the 2024-27 academic years, marking a significant milestone in the state’s ongoing efforts to enhance the quality and accessibility of higher education. The plan, which prioritizes increased access, timely completion of degrees, financial value and economic development, aligns with the Board’s vision to become a global leader in higher education and research.
“The approval of this new strategic plan reflects the Board’s dedication to creating a brighter future for Utah’s students and communities through education,” said Amanda Covington, Utah Board of Higher Education Chair. “By setting a clear path forward, we are paving the way for a stronger, more prosperous Utah, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive and that our institutions remain at the forefront of providing valuable education.”
The newly approved plan emphasizes the importance of collaboration between higher education institutions, industry partners and state agencies. By fostering these partnerships, the Board aims to ensure that Utah’s higher education system is not only responsive to the current needs of students and the workforce but also proactive in addressing future challenges. The plan includes initiatives to strengthen educational pathways, enhance workforce readiness and promote research and innovation that will drive economic growth and social well-being across the state.
The strategic plan is structured around four key priorities:
- Access: The plan aims to increase the college-going rate of high school graduates by 3% by the end of the 2026-27 academic year. To achieve this, the Utah System of Higher Education will ensure that all prospective students are meaningfully informed about postsecondary opportunities and simplify institutional admissions processes.
- Completion: USHE is committed to increasing the timely completion of degrees and awards by 3% within the same timeframe. This includes innovating to remove barriers to completion and standardizing the awarding of credit for prior learning to accelerate students’ progress.
- Financial Value: The plan seeks to maximize the return on investment for all stakeholders by reducing low-value expenditures, creating financial efficiencies and ensuring that the cost of a USHE education is commensurate with its value.
- Economic Development: Recognizing the pivotal role of higher education in strengthening Utah’s economy, the plan includes strategies to increase the completion rates in high-wage, high-demand programs by 3% and advance research that supports economic development.
The approval of this strategic plan follows extensive work by the Board’s Strategic Plan Task Force, which was instrumental in refining the plan based on feedback from the full Board and institutional presidents. Their efforts have ensured that the Board’s plan is well-aligned with institutional and state needs.
This complete strategic plan will soon be available at ushe.edu/board/strategic-plan.
