Texas A&M University Central Texas kicked off the fall 2024 semester with an all-staff welcome breakfast and assembly, unveiling the university’s new vision, values and mission statement.
Interim Provost Kelly Cude welcomed the more than 150 people gathered in the auditorium and introduced the new faculty, tenured employees and distinguished graduate professors.
Cude also shared recent accomplishments by staff, departments and educational programs at the Killeen campus.
A&M Central Texas President Richard M. Rose praised employees at the event.
“Because of them, our students thrive in an environment that embraces them, challenges them, supports them and pushes them forward. This is a joyous opportunity to express our gratitude and greet you all as we begin a new semester,” Rose said in a news release about the event. Classes for the fall semester begin Monday.
Cude introduced Dan Silverberg of Florida-based Campus Works, who shared the results of the updated university strategic plan and how the university will implement the new information. Campus Works describes itself as “a trusted advisor to higher education leaders and a driver of organizational change.”
In February, the company began collecting data, creating focus groups, conducting surveys and organizing workshops to present a comprehensive and holistic plan to managers.
Silverberg presented a slideshow highlighting some of the steps taken in the planning process and the results.
“The whole point of the university’s strategic plan is to be endorsed for the future, for the local residents who are the community, our employees and our students,” Silverberg said. “It’s been a personally rewarding experience to see all the progress that’s been made at the university and see you all investing in the future of education in the region.”
More than 750 internal and external stakeholders were involved in gathering input for the plan, Silverberg said. Each event, workshop, and focus group provided information to help shape the project’s next steps and strategic plan for the future.
“At the workshop, participants asked, ‘How can we hold executives accountable to ensure that our strategic plan is executed?'” Silverberg said.
He explained that the plan also includes establishing a community-led council and holding Rose accountable to ensure the plan is implemented.
When it was Rose’s turn to speak, he outlined key aspects of the new plan and congratulated all of the individuals involved in its creation. He presented the audience with a slide outlining the new mission of the new university.
“Texas A&M University Central Texas empowers students through innovative education and transformative experiences that foster personal growth, economic mobility and lifelong success in a supportive environment.”
The next slide showed the new vision statement.
“Texas A&M University-Central Texas will be a national leader in helping students obtain high-quality credentials that lead to educational, economic, social and personal enrichment.”
Rose noted that the plan is future-oriented and encourages everyone to embrace the future of the university.
“This is no longer a one-time bachelor’s or master’s degree, it’s an ongoing journey for all of us, and hopefully our students will understand that and graduate,” Rose said.
While universities across the country are experiencing enrollment declines, that’s not the case at Central Texas A&M, the president said.
Preliminary enrollment reports show fall enrollment at 2,342 students, up 7 percent from last year. Credit enrollment also increased 13 percent to a total of 19,291 credits.
The university is still accepting registrations for the fall 2024 semester. It is also accepting registrations for the spring 2025 semester.
