Clemson unveiled its new 12-year strategic plan, Clemson Elevate, which aims to propel the school’s reputation and overall success.
The initiative, presented on April 20, is built upon three core pillars: deliver the number one student experience in the nation, double research expenditures by 2035 and transform lives statewide and beyond.
Each pillar will guide the University as it strives to stay true to Clemson’s culture and strengthen its reputation. The three pillars’ success relies on the 15 academic and economic focus areas.
Students can expect to see new opportunities inside and outside of the classroom, which will promote student development and amplify student success, Robert H. Jones, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, said.
The research pillar of Clemson Elevate will accomplish the installment of an Association of American Universities-aligned faculty, putting the University in the position to receive an invitation to the prestigious AAU, according to the project’s website.
The academic focus areas include rural health initiatives, agriculture food systems and environmental resilience, human performance, AI/data science/cybersecurity, academic success and experiential learning.
Vice President of Finance and Operations Tony Wagner detailed the budgeting process of the effort to elevate, highlighting the investments that students can see on campus right now in design, construction and new facilities. The project will follow revenue-based budgeting efforts, relying heavily on “private giving and unique government/industry co-investments,” according to the University website.
While Clemson works to “elevate” its presence as a university and research center, students can expect to lend a hand in the changes as early as next fall. Feedback mechanisms are prepared to be delivered in order to provide glimpses into one to five-year horizons as soon as the fiscal year begins in 2024.