Strategic Plan Overview

Following the retirement of President Welsh and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Interim President Kenneth Long extended the 2017-2020 Strategic Plan, Students First: Empowering Innovation through Collaboration, allowing time to stabilize operations and reassess the University’s direction in a post-pandemic landscape. This extension also ensured that the incoming president would have the opportunity to guide a comprehensive strategic planning process.

Upon his appointment as the 14th President of East Stroudsburg University, President Long announced the launch of a new strategic plan, engaging the entire campus community in the effort. To spearhead this initiative, a Strategic Planning Committee was formed, consisting of 28 members representing faculty, staff, and students. The committee was co-chaired by Michael Sachs, Interim Vice President of Administration and Accreditation, and Dr. Artress White, Associate Professor of English. Between October 2022 and January 2023, the committee gathered crucial insights and perspectives to shape the foundation of the new plan.

At the conclusion of the 2022-23 academic year, the co-chairs submitted a draft narrative to President Long for review. During the Summer 2023 President’s Cabinet Retreat, four key strategic priorities were identified from the draft and assigned to separate working groups, each led by a designated vice president. These working groups collaborated to develop detailed plans aligned with the university's vision, mission, and core values.

The East Stroudsburg University Council of Trustees approved the 2025-2028 Strategic Plan “ESU: Creating Opportunities Through Community, Engagement, & Belonging” during their meeting on December 5, 2024.