To remain competitive and to reach beyond what is known today, Vision 2020 was developed through an active dialogue regarding our future. Contained in the vision are the ideas, perspectives, opinions, and expertise of hundreds of faculty, staff and students, as well as community persons, who spent many hours engaged in that dialogue.
We have grappled with the ideas of change with a spirit of risk taking tempered by optimism and hope. We clearly recognized that substantial and significant change in higher education could either be forced upon us or we could become the navigators of our own destiny.
As our vision is defined, our strategic planning will create a seamless, yet interactive, relationship between what we foresee and what we will actually undertake to achieve our vision. As the compass provides directions to the traveler, Vision 2020 will guide us to make wise choices and decisions as we encounter our future. Consequently, we will use our treasured resources with competence, collaboration and care to meet the next century with confidence.
"To return to the old ways is not possible; only one thing is left for those who do not wish to change their way of life, and that is to hope that 'things will last my time' -- after that, let what happen may."
--Leo Tolstoy
Vision 2020: A Wider View