Embracing Innovation for a Brighter Future at ϲ
Dear Faculty:
This message comes at a moment when some faculty and students are raising concerns about our Forward-Focused Digital Transformation (FFDT) Initiative. Although these voices are loud, they are not representative of the larger constituent bodies or the collaborative spirit that has guided this work from the beginning. I want to address this directly, because, as I have said many times, the real “fight” for the future of higher education is not within our institution – it is outside of it. Our energy must remain focused on meeting the challenges before us – not on internal distractions that pull us away from our shared mission.
ϲ is launching a comprehensive digital transformation as part of its Forward-Focused Strategic Framework. This initiative aligns physical and digital spaces, academic delivery, and research infrastructure into one cohesive vision – anchored in faculty innovation, student success, and long-term sustainability.
Why This Matters
The Forward Focused Digital Transformation initiative is a bold future-defining repositioning of ϲ’s academic core. This initiative ensures that the University:
- Expands research capacity through secure, cloud-enabled, and AI-supported infrastructure designed for scale and impact;
- Empowers faculty to lead innovation through digital tools, AI integration, and intentional course design;
- Grows enrollment, increases student presence, and improves graduation rates on campus and online;
- Aligns space, technology, and academic strategy to support institutional sustainability, relevance, and long-term competitiveness; and
- Delivers high-quality, flexible on-campus and online learning experiences that meet the expectations of today’s learners and tomorrow’s workforce.
This is how ϲ secures its place as a national leader in academic innovation: by building a foundation that supports transformation rather than adapting after the fact.
