Columbus State University leaders have unveiled “Better Together: 2030,” a new five-year strategic plan to propel the university forward through intentional service to its students, its employees and the community it serves. The plan renews the university’s commitment to empowering the Chattahoochee Valley, driving innovation through academics and outreach, and creating opportunities for its students and alumni.

“We value people. We dream big. We believe that we can accomplish anything we set our minds to. We work hard. We speak truthfully. We act with compassion. We lead with a servant’s heart,” President Stuart Rayfieldsaid of the tenets guiding the plan as she shared it with the hundreds of faculty, staff and volunteer board members gathered for her Fall Semester Kickoff address on Aug. 5.

The plan builds on the vision for Columbus State that she articulated during her presidential investiture ceremony in October 2023. At the plan’s heart, she said, are the people who will help the university realize its full potential.

“Our greatest strength as an institution are the people who make us Columbus State University. CSU is all of us—and we are truly better together,” she said. “No one person, department, college or division can do the work alone. Rather, if we are to achieve the big goals we have set, we must do it together—as our plan reflects.”

Work on “Better Together: 2030” began before Rayfield’s investiture. A 25-person committee that included students, employees, volunteers and community partners gathered input through focus groups, listening sessions and surveys during the fall semester. During Spring 2024, the committee reviewed that input and presented recommendations that became the plan's four overarching priorities:

• Student Success: preparing students to advance toward graduation, careers and meaningful lives;

• Responsible Stewardship: promoting the ethical and transparent management of resources for the individual student and for the university;

• Community Impact: driving innovation and creating opportunities for continued economic development and quality of life in the region; and

• Economic Competitiveness: elevating the university to be a destination of higher education and to contribute to the vitality of the Chattahoochee Valley.

The new strategic plan also includes updated vision and mission statements around those priorities (pending approval by the University System of Georgia). The university’s core values—excellence, creativity, engagement, sustainability, inclusion and servant leadership—don’t change and remain guiding principles for the university’s students, employees, alumni and community partners.

Measurable goals and specific activities comprise each priority. Rayfield referred to those metrics as “ambitious,” saying “they will challenge every single one of us. This is not a plan for which it is a given we will succeed.” The strategic plan website will include a public dashboard to which the university will add periodic updates on progress toward those metrics.

Rayfield has realigned some roles on her Executive Leadership Team to position the strategic plan for success. Changes and additions include:

• Lauren Brown, who as chief planning officer for strategic initiatives will monitor and measure progress toward the plan’s priorities;

• Maj. Gen. (retired) Pat Donahoe, who as chief operating officer will guide business, finance, technology and facility operations;

• Dr. John Lester, who as chief engagement officer will oversee community-facing functions: Advancement, the Career Center, Continuing & Professional Education, the Leadership Institute, and Strategic Communication + Marketing.

• Dr. Marti Venn, who holds the redefined role of chief academic officer and provost on an interim basis until that position is filled.

Founded in 1958 as Columbus College, Columbus State is a four-year doctoral degree-granting university with 7,600-plus students hailing from nearly every Georgia county and U.S. state, and more than 40 countries. It is frequently cited as one of the state and region’s most affordable institutions, a top national military-friendly university, the home to 13 championship-caliber NCAA Division II sports teams, and a catalyst for the Chattahoochee Valley’s quality of life, economic growth and workforce development. Its 40,000-plus alumni live in all 50 states, three U.S. territories and 70 countries.

“Columbus State exists today in its current form by the will of this community.  We would not be a state university but for the commitment by our community to the idea of the university and what it means to a community,” Rayfield (pictured) said. “Community—both our campus community and our partnership with our host community—is our cornerstone.”

“Better Together: 2030” is available on the university’s website to view or download.