Elevating CMU’s Success with a Future-Forward Framework

Carnegie Mellon University today announced a dynamic and adaptable roadmap that will guide the university’s persistent pursuit of excellence. Recently endorsed by the CMU Board of Trustees, this modernized strategic framework(opens in new window) will focus CMU’s mission-based efforts through a time of rapid change in higher education, ensuring the university strengthens its role as a global leader in groundbreaking research, entrepreneurship, creativity and life-enhancing innovation.

“This framework, shaped by a multitude of voices across our university community, is designed to fuel Carnegie Mellon University’s persistent pursuit of excellence. It will expand our record of innovating in education, research, creativity and entrepreneurship in our rapidly evolving world,” said Farnam Jahanian(opens in new window), president of Carnegie Mellon University. “I am grateful to everyone who contributed to the framework’s formation and I’m excited for all that is ahead.”

A steering committee, co-chaired by Tricia O’Reilly, chief of staff to President Jahanian, and Becky Culyba, vice provost for strategic initiatives and chief of staff to Provost James H. Garrett Jr., began work on the strategic framework in 2023. The process has involved gathering input from numerous university stakeholders and focus groups to shape an approach that is visionary and strategically sound. 

Data collected from the planning process was distilled to form a concise set of ideas, focus areas and goals for strategic framing. Streams of this data included an extensive environmental scan of trends in higher education; a pulse survey of leaders and stakeholders on their perceptions of changes in higher education, the university’s strengths, opportunities and future areas of focus; a peer benchmarking exercise to evaluate the university’s positioning against peer institutions; followed by internal discussions among senior university leaders to continue the strategic process. In total, 76 focus groups and interviews were conducted with faculty, staff, students, trustees and other key stakeholders.

Based on the data and feedback from the CMU community, and weaving in the key ongoing priorities from the previous strategic plan, the updated strategic framework focuses on leadership and impact in a rapidly changing world. It centers on four key priorities, each supported by goals designed to propel Carnegie Mellon forward. As our framework is implemented, the university will advance these goals with tactics and initiatives that are inspired and informed by ongoing community input.  

• Priority 1 - Shaping the Human-Centered Future of Education and Work(opens in new window)
• Priority 2 - Expanding the Frontiers of Research and Creativity(opens in new window)
• Priority 3 - Fostering a Vibrant and Engaged Global Community(opens in new window)
• Priority 4 - Strengthening Institutional Agility and Resilience(opens in new window)

In priority No. 1, CMU will work to shape the future of education and the global workforce by prioritizing human intelligence, leveraging AI and learning science, promoting experiential learning, and equipping the Carnegie Mellon community to lead in a rapidly evolving global economy and cultural landscape.

Priority No. 2 seeks to boldly expand the frontiers of research, creativity and development through targeted investments, interdisciplinary collaboration and calculated big bets that have the potential to advance human progress at scale.

Priority No. 3 will cultivate a vibrant, engaged and impactful community, building on our history and leveraging new ideas to strengthen a sense of belonging and ensure the CMU experience is meaningful for students, faculty and staff and beneficial to the communities it serves, including those in places like Qatar, Rwanda and Portugal.

Priority No. 4 involves responding to societal imperatives and fostering long-term institutional resilience and agility by advancing and prioritizing the responsible stewardship of university resources, with a particular lens on expanding access and opportunity.

“The global recognition of CMU's research and education impact has surged over the past decade, evidenced by our strong rankings and ever-competitive applicant pool,” shared Garrett. “This momentum, fueled by our community’s individual and collective achievements and contributions, creates an incredibly exciting landscape of opportunity for our future.”

As the framework is implemented, a rigorous system of strategic indicators will allow CMU to track and monitor developments and opportunities across the five domains critical to the university’s mission:

• Excellence in Education
• Excellence in Research
• Community and Talent
• Stewardship of Resources
• Transformational Impacts

The university will be held accountable through regular reporting to the Board of Trustees, CMU leadership and the broader CMU community. A comprehensive evaluation process will also be undertaken to identify new initiatives and tactics, as well as opportunities for the expansion of existing successful strategies. This evaluation will inform the prioritization of key areas and the subsequent formation of dedicated working groups responsible for the implementation and ongoing monitoring of progress. The strategic framework website(opens in new window) will serve as a repository of progress, achievements and milestones.

Be part of what’s next

CMU is committed to the ongoing development and improvement of the Strategic Framework through data- and feedback-driven improvement, and welcomes input from the campus community and stakeholders. 

Those interested in providing feedback can reach out to @email(opens in new window). This information will be regularly shared with the Strategic Framework Update Steering Committee.