President Updates University on Strategic Plan Progress at Convocation

President Charles J. Dougherty shared his thoughts on the success and progress of the University’s 2010-2015 Strategic Plan during the 2014 Convocation on Sept. 11.

“The strategic plan has been a powerful and successful engine of change and progress for all of us,” said Dougherty to the gathering of faculty, staff and administration.

After assessments of the strategic plan during both the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 academic years, Dougherty stated that the University’s strategic plan has been largely fulfilled.

“Because of our collective efforts to chart a future for ourselves with this strategic plan, and our shared attention to its demands at critical moments, we are far better off today with respect to the three main areas the plan addresses,” explained Dougherty. “We have emphasized our Spiritan identity and mission; we have enhanced the quality of our student experience; and we have further developed our national reputation for academic excellence.”

Dougherty also discussed the importance of steps to create the next Duquesne Strategic Plan, stating that the effort would benefit from input from across the University. “We must engage one another to build a plan for the whole of the University,” said Dougherty. “The planning process we embark upon will help to shape all our thinking together.”

In closing, Dougherty touted the benefit of another successful, well-designed strategic plan. “It can be of immense help in sorting through the important issues at stake here,” said Dougherty. “An extended University-wide conversation about these matters as part of our planning process can only help.”