Feb. 2, 2021

To the UMB Community:

In 2011, the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) engaged in its first strategic planning process. As we launched this endeavor, we were very expansive in our efforts to ensure that we had Universitywide engagement, contributions, and transparency. What resulted was a comprehensive plan for those first five years.

In 2016, having learned a great deal about ways to improve our planning efforts, we successfully implemented a more streamlined process. I encourage you to visit our Strategic Plan website to read about our accomplishments under the existing plan.

Even as we celebrate these accomplishments, we are excited to launch the planning process for our next five-year strategic plan, which, under University System of Maryland policy, must be in place by July 1, 2021. We will again utilize a streamlined model to ensure Universitywide engagement, contributions, and transparency in developing new strategic priorities while fostering enhanced efficiency.

To this end, I am pleased to announce that Judy L. Postmus, PhD, ACSW, dean and professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work, and Roger J. Ward, EdD, JD, MSL, MPA, interim provost and executive vice president of UMB and dean of the Graduate School, have agreed to serve as co-chairs of the University's 2022-2026 strategic planning process. I welcome their leadership and anticipate a successful planning cycle.

You will receive information from the co-chairs over the next several weeks about the planning process and ways in which you can participate and contribute to its success. For now, please join me in extending my thanks to Dr. Postmus and Dr. Ward for their leadership in this most important initiative.

Sincerely,

Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS
President