The "Lead On, University" Strategic Plan is more than a roadmap. The Plan represents a dynamic, comprehensive planning effort, integrated across all campuses, that defines who we are today, who we aim to be, and how we plan to get there.
The Plan is comprised of five core elements:
OU’s Fundamental Commitments (Purpose and Values) are concrete, immovable, and enduring. They reflect the essence of who we are and what we do.
At the heart of our Strategic Plan are five Pillars that define what kind of University we want to be and what is most important for the University. They are equal in importance.
The Strategies articulate the key areas on which we will be focusing our efforts to help deliver on our Purpose.
Strategies separate Pillars into manageable parts and key areas of focus.
The Tactics accelerate OU’s progress toward its goals. Tactics are where the rubber meets the road. They are actionable and, in most cases, measurable initiatives focused on advancing toward OU’s long-term goals.
Ongoing assessment of our progress, review of key performance indicators (KPIs), and budget/resource planning are essential elements to dynamic strategic planning. OU leadership utilizes data reports and analysis to track the university key performance indicators and overall progress with the Strategic Plan. To view an extensive set of performance data and institutional reports, visit OU’s Office of Institutional Research and Reporting interactive data reports.
Officially launched in July 2020, the "Lead On, University" Strategic Plan defines a clear plan for OU’s future and the comprehensive strategies to achieve it.
Since launching the Strategic Plan, the University has made tremendous progress with new, transformative initiatives like the creation of a fully integrated academic health system, launching the OU Polytechnic Institute and OU Online, joining the SEC, and adding premier freshman housing, to name just a few. Additionally, the University has improved across all student success metrics, achieved record fundraising, research, and legislative funding, and has welcomed four consecutive record-breaking freshman classes.
In spring 2024, President Harroz called for a refresh of the "Lead On, University" Strategic Plan. A refresh provided an opportunity to continue to build on our momentum, celebrate our recent successes, engage and listen to University constituents, apply those insights and our lessons learned, adapt and update our plans, and align our resources to continue our trajectory of transformation.
The refresh was a multi-phased planning process, which began in late May 2024 and wrapped up in early spring 2025.
