Strategic Planning

The Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees voted on June 19, 2025, to adopt the five focus areas that constitute the current iteration of the ATU strategic plan.

“Arkansas Tech continues to advance its mission and respond to the evolving needs of students, faculty, staff and the broader community,” wrote Dr. Russell Jones, ATU president, in a memorandum to trustees proposing the five focus areas. “It is critical to establish clear priorities to guide institutional decision making and resource allocation. After campus-wide input and in consultation with the strategic planning committee, five strategic focus areas have been identified to shape the university’s strategic plan.”

The five focus areas of the ATU strategic plan are:

• Academic Delivery and Relevance
• Institutional Branding, Marketing and Strategic Positioning
• Employee Support, Morale and Retention
• Campus Infrastructure and Financial Resources
• Campus Life, Community Connections and Student Support

Subsequent to the adoption of the five focus areas and accompanying action items, committees were seated during the fall 2025 semester and charged with developing year one goals for the implementation of the strategic plan.

Those year one goals were presented to the ATU Board of Trustees by President Jones on Dec. 16, 2025. 

Click here to view the names of the members of the focus areas committees. 

Click here to access the action items and year one goals.

These year one goals serve as the initial phase of the Arkansas Tech University strategic plan and reflect the work and recommendations of the committees. Goals are designed to be completed on a calendar year basis. Year one goals are to be completed by December 2026. Development of year two and year three goals is currently underway by the strategic planning committees.

Following the December 2025 board meeting, the ATU Executive Council reviewed the goals and identified, for each goal, a primary division lead, secondary division lead and an operational lead. Vice presidents, or primary leads, are responsible for overseeing the progress and completion of their respective goals and for ensuring coordination across divisions as needed.

In addition, the vice presidents have developed guidelines for the year one goals associated with the strategic plan, which is designed to be a living document that will be fluid throughout its life span. These guidelines will steer implementation and accountability throughout the first year of the plan.

The intent is to present the results and progress of these year one goals to the board at the December 2026 board meeting.

Following the February 2026 board meeting, the vice presidents will meet with the strategic planning committees to review the goals in detail and to collaborate on accomplishing the goals presented by the committees. This continued engagement is intended to maintain alignment between the committees’ original work and the operational execution of the strategic plan.

Background

Arkansas Tech University initiated its current strategic planning process during the fall 2024 semester by developing new mission and vision statements. The following statements were approved by the ATU Board of Trustees on Dec. 19, 2024, and serve as guides for the institution and its priorities.

ATU Mission Statement

“Arkansas Tech University is dedicated to student success and access by providing an education that will significantly impact social mobility, enabling students to reach their greatest potential. The university has an unwavering commitment to providing life-changing educational opportunities at all levels of higher education through partnerships, research and service initiatives that contribute to the economic, cultural and social well-being of the students and the region it serves. The university will cultivate a vibrant and welcoming community, encouraging students, faculty and staff to achieve their goals in a supportive environment.”

ATU Vision Statement

“Arkansas Tech University will empower its students to pursue their dreams and unlock their full potential by providing a high-quality, challenging education, creating a path to personal and professional success across the Arkansas River Valley, the state, the nation and beyond.”