Bowie State University

The Elevate Strategic Plan charts a transformative course for The Graduate School at Bowie State University, aiming to achieve Carnegie R2 research classification and national distinction. It focuses on three strategic goals: Igniting Academic Brilliance, Positioning the Graduate School for a Bold and Innovative Future, and Cultivating Life-Changing Learning Experiences. The plan seeks to amplify the university's voice in global research, redefine 21st-century graduate education, and empower scholars to drive innovation and positive societal impact.

Bowie State University's sustainability profile details comprehensive initiatives across environmental management, procurement, and community projects. Key areas include energy efficiency, renewable energy generation through solar power, robust waste reduction and recycling programs, and sustainable transportation options. Green building practices, including LEED-certified facilities, are also highlighted. The profile references the BSU Climate Action Plan 2020, which outlines actions for a five-year period.

This document, 'Racing to Excellence at the Five-Year Marker,' reviews the progress and achievements of Bowie State University (BSU) from 2017 to 2022, aligning with the 2019-2024 'Racing to Excellence' strategic plan. The plan focuses on advancing academic excellence, ensuring student success, and strengthening the long-term viability of the university through innovation and entrepreneurship. Key areas of achievement highlighted include exponential growth in private giving, effective management during the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding partnerships, launching innovative academic programs, improving enrollment and student profiles, and significant campus expansion. Looking forward, the university aims to complete its fundraising campaign, develop more high-demand academic programs, enhance institutional processes, become an entrepreneurship hub, and serve as a source for diverse talent and regional economic development.

The testimony discusses the FY 2023 capital budget for Bowie State University, focusing on funding for the new Communication Arts and Humanities building, which will replace the Martin Luther King, Jr. Communication Arts facility. The project aligns with the university's strategic plan, Racing to Excellence, emphasizing academic excellence, student success, and institutional viability. The new building will feature modern classrooms, specialized laboratories, and administrative spaces to support 21st-century teaching and learning. The testimony also addresses the need for renovating the Thurgood Marshall Library to meet current technological and programmatic demands.

The Bowie State University Climate Action Plan 2020-2025 outlines the institution's commitment to addressing climate change and promoting sustainability. Its main strategic pillars encompass solid waste management, increasing renewable energy and energy efficiency, fostering sustainable behavior through curriculum and community engagement, reducing transportation-related carbon emissions, and enhancing sustainable environmental and landscaping actions. The plan also integrates climate resilience, with a focus on infrastructure and health and wellness. Key objectives include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 15% to 12,742 MTeCO2 and increasing co-mingled recycling material by 18% to 247.66 tons, both by 2025, while extending the university's impact on the broader community.