Jill Wiggins

The 'Show Me Renewal' plan for the University of Missouri addresses the upcoming fall semester, prioritizing the health and well-being of the university community. Developed by seven task forces, the plan implements comprehensive health and safety measures including social distancing, face coverings, handwashing, health monitoring, enhanced testing capacity, contact tracing, and quarantine facilities. It is a flexible, 'living document' designed to adapt to evolving conditions while aiming to maintain a rich on-campus experience.

The Fall General Faculty Meeting focused on the university's resilience and operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing financial challenges, enrollment trends, and social justice initiatives. Key topics included academic programming updates, such as the inactivation of specific programs and the formation of new departments, along with the introduction of new faculty initiatives like 'The Huddle' to support diverse faculty. Faculty Council representatives discussed pilot programs for English proficiency testing, considerations regarding academic calendar adjustments, and ongoing investigations. The meeting also addressed financial outlooks, emphasizing the need for strategic resource allocation amidst ongoing economic pressures.

MizzouForward is a 10-year, $1.5 billion strategic investment designed to reshape the University of Missouri. The initiative focuses on enhancing the university's research enterprise by recruiting up to 150 world-class investigators, increasing salaries for existing faculty and staff, providing new experiences for students, and investing in cutting-edge research and infrastructure. The overarching goal is to achieve exponential growth, elevate the institution's standing among leading research universities, and leverage its land-grant AAU status to positively impact the community and the world.

Mizzou Forward is a strategic investment focused on the future of the university. The initiative aims to enhance the institution's standing as an AAU research institution by attracting and hiring top faculty members for research and educating the next generation of leaders. It seeks to bring in talented scientists, build upon existing unique assets, and foster exponential growth to create a stronger academic and research environment.

The University of Missouri's 2024-2030 Strategic Plan, titled 'Achieving Excellence Together,' outlines a vision focused on making a positive impact on the state and the world. The plan is structured around three core themes: Promoting Student Success, Elevating High-Impact Research, Scholarship & Creative Works, and Fostering Meaningful Outreach & Engagement. These themes are underpinned by overarching principles of inclusive excellence and effective stewardship, designed to advance the university's mission as a public, land-grant research institution.