(MURRAY, Ky.) — Murray State University has officially kicked off a comprehensive strategic planning process that will chart the institution’s course for the next three years.
University President Dr. Ron K. Patterson framed the effort as more than a routine administrative exercise. “Strategic planning goes beyond a static document — it is a collaborative blueprint that enables us to anticipate opportunities, clarify our purpose and priorities, and align the resources needed to achieve our shared goals,” he said.
Leading the initiative are three co-chairs drawn from across the university’s colleges: Chris Wooldridge, faculty member and director of the Center for Economic and Entrepreneurial Development in the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business; Dr. Ben Littlepage, professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs in the College of Education and Human Services; and Dr. Elise Kieffer, program director and assistant professor of Non-Profit Leadership Studies, also in the Bauernfeind College of Business.
The co-chairs will head a Strategic Planning Committee made up of representatives from across campus and the broader community. The group’s charge is to develop a mission-driven roadmap with actionable strategies spanning student experience, teaching and learning, academic innovation, inclusive excellence, financial sustainability, investment in people, and community engagement.
The strategic plan will also run parallel to a Campus Master Plan focused on the university’s physical infrastructure, with the two frameworks intended to complement one another.
Patterson emphasized the significance of the work ahead. “With thoughtful engagement and a commitment to excellence, we will develop a Strategic Plan that reflects our values, sharpens our direction, and ensures continued impact for our students, faculty, staff, community, and beyond.”
Founded in 1922, Murray State University operates its main campus in Murray along with five regional campuses in Fort Campbell, Henderson, Hopkinsville, Madisonville and Paducah. The university counts more than 80,000 alumni worldwide.
For more information, visit murraystate.edu.
