UNCP Strategic Plan

Implement a comprehensive, data-informed approach to identify and mitigate financial barriers to student success by integrating financial indicators,engagement behaviors and institutional investment strategies to reduce breaks in enrollment (stop-outs), withdrawals, reduction in course schedule hours and time to degree.

Develop and refine differentiated admission pathways and targeted academic support structures that proactively address variations in student academic preparation, ensuring access to resources that promote a successful transition to college-level work and persistence. Utilize this opportunity to recognize, prioritize and strategize around key populations including graduate, undergraduate, fully online, fully on-ground, part-time, full-time, traditional, adult learners and transfer students.

Advance student progression through regularly scheduled assessment and improvement planning for student admissions and academic preparation,student academic support programs, pedagogical professional development,coordinated academic advising, streamlining the curriculum, expanded experiential learning mechanisms and flexible scheduling options to enable students to successfully complete coursework, maintain academic standing and progress through degree requirements on time.

Strengthen institutional effectiveness by aligning admissions, academic, student life, housing, financial aid and administrative processes through collaborative structures, shared data systems, consistent communication and collective accountability for student enrollment, retention and success outcomes.

Systematically review, redesign and create academic programs to embed future-oriented competencies — including digital fluency, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, professional and technical writing, interdisciplinary problem-solving, data literacy and strong levels of experiential learning — thereby ensuring graduates are prepared for evolving workforce demands, community engagement and leadership as well as lifelong learning.

Expand professional development for the adoption of evidence-based, learner-centered pedagogies and instructional technologies that enhance student engagement, personalized learning platforms and academic outcomes across all modalities.

Invest in high-impact, interdisciplinary research aligned with institutional priorities and societal needs, leveraging emerging technologies to increase external funding, scholarly productivity and undergraduate research engagement along with real-world application.

Grow external resources and philanthropy by strengthening fundraising capacity, expanding corporate and community partnerships and increasing competitive grant activity to advance institutional priorities and reduce reliance on limited recurring funds.

Invest in faculty and staff while modernizing institutional processes to strengthen employee experience, build leadership and technical capacity, reduce administrative burden and improve service delivery and operational effectiveness.

Enhance and invest in physical spaces by prioritizing facility improvements, deferred maintenance and strategic capital investments that support student success, academic excellence and operational effectiveness while optimizing classroom utilization.

Maintain and maximize the value of NC Promise as a defining commitment to access while advancing broader student affordability strategies that reduce unmet need, and student debt across all populations.

Harness the institution’s history, cultural legacy and role as an anchor institution to strengthen regional partnerships, advance Indigenous and rural community priorities and generate sustainable economic and educational outcomes.

Strengthen regional economic development by expanding high‑quality partnerships that support employer attraction and retention; build workforce pipelines; advance applied research; and enable entrepreneurship and small‑business growth.

As a steward of place, align academic, co‑curricular, community engagement and public‑facing programming to address regional priorities — including health, education, cultural vitality and access — so that university expertise, facilities and partnerships deliver measurable social outcomes for communities across southeastern North Carolina.

Foster a shared institutional culture of engagement that strengthens connections with alumni and donors in support of institutional priorities. Cultivate donor interaction, alumni identity, pride and affinity through meaningful academic, professional and community‑based experiences that encourage lifelong involvement, advocacy and philanthropic support.