Thinking Forward: Next Steps
William & Mary President Katherine A. Rowe sent the following message to the university community Jan. 17, 2019. - Ed.
Dear William & Mary Community,
This week marks the start of the spring semester for our undergraduate cohort, while many of our graduate students have already begun the new term. I begin my second semester as president energized by the lively conversations we have shared over the past six months.
Our Thinking Forward period of strategic listening enriched my understanding of William & Mary, our traditions and our aspirations for the future. This semester, we will shift to deeper exploration: studying key challenges and opportunities generated in those conversations as we consider how to advance what we value most. We’ll also move forward on some key initiatives, continually listening to and learning from our community, as we prepare to launch formal strategic planning in fall 2019.
Among the most important discoveries of Thinking Forward has been how energized William & Mary faculty, staff, students, parents, friends and alumni are by sustained conversations across our different cohorts. So we will look to opportunities in the months ahead to continue this format in areas where generative thinking can be accelerated by diverse perspectives.
Charting our future requires a deep understanding of our fiscal realities. The 2018 Financial Report, now available online, underscores the critical importance of aligning resources with our highest priorities. This moment of relative prosperity affords us the opportunity to think strategically and act from a place of strength, recognizing the pressing importance of securing a firm financial foundation for the longer term. I very much look forward to continuing this work with you.
Onward!
Katherine A. Rowe
President, William & Mary