Our refreshed "Lead On, University" Strategic Plan is a dynamic roadmap guiding OU’s future. Built on five key Pillars, it defines our Vision, Strategies, and measurable goals. Through a collaborative, cross-campus effort, we assessed progress, adapted to new challenges, and refined our priorities. The Plan aligns academic excellence, student success, research innovation, and community impact, ensuring OU remains a leader in higher education. With regular performance reviews and campus-wide engagement, we stay agile and committed to delivering on our mission.
Discover how "Lead On, University" is shaping the future of OU. Our refreshed Strategic Plan builds on past successes and sets bold new goals in academic excellence, student success, research innovation, and community impact. With a focus on One OU, this Plan unites our campuses and stakeholders to drive meaningful progress. Explore the full Plan to see how we are investing in faculty, expanding opportunities for students, strengthening research, and enhancing OU’s role as a leader in higher education.
Disciplined execution of our Strategic Plan will result in: providing affordable academic excellence for our students; promoting students’ intellectual, social, and emotional growth and preparing students for a life of meaning and impact.
We will also educate students committed to the pursuit of academic excellence regardless of background; serve and improve society through discovery, creativity, and innovation; and work in partnership with the public and private sectors to advance prosperity and well-being.
At the University of Oklahoma, our Purpose is elegant in its simplicity and profound in its depth:
Changing Lives Through the Power of Education
Juan Dills
Truman Scholar | B.A. Social Work, ‘25
Changing Lives Through World-Class Health Care
Parker Helmerich and parents David and Faith Helmerich
Oklahoma’s First Pediatric Heart Transplant
in 30 Years
Changing Lives Through Research and Discovery
Dr. Amy McGovern
Lloyd G. and Joyce Austin Presidential Professor, University of Oklahoma
The Soval Series, the University of Oklahoma’s suite of signature student experiences, will return to the historic South Oval on OU’s Norman campus this fall, including Showtime on the Soval featuring Chris Young, Beat Bevo Bash and Holiday Lights. The Soval Series is designed to foster connection, school spirit and memorable traditions among the student body and entire OU community.
Historic demand for a University of Oklahoma education continues to drive record enrollment growth, expanding OU’s reach across the state and fueling generational impact for Oklahoma. At the center of that momentum is the largest freshman class in state and university history, with a record 6,437 students joining the Class of 2030 this fall.
For the second year in a row, the University of Oklahoma is the No. 1 university to work for in the state of Oklahoma, according to Forbes and maintained its position as No. 6 in the magazine’s annual list of America’s Best Employers by State.
