For more information, contact:
Jonas Macapinlac
Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
University of Guam
Tel: (671) 735-2944
Cell: (671) 787-1010
Email: jmac@triton.uog.edu

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The University of Guam today launched its 2019–2024 Para Hulo’ Strategic Plan. “Para Hulo’” is CHamoru for the university’s Latin motto, “excelsior,” or “ever upward.”

The five-year plan will guide the university on its desired trajectory and will prepare the university for its next accreditation site visit in 2024 from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission.

In carrying out the plan’s six initiatives, “More of our students will succeed, more of our citizens will be well-educated, and more opportunities will be realized … and we’ll be making an even greater impact on the economy, the culture, and the quality of life in Guam and all of Micronesia,” President Thomas W. Krise said to an audience of university faculty and staff and government officials.

The six key initiatives of plan include:

• Being recognized as a research university
• Leading as a partnership university
• Enriching the student experience
• Becoming a model for operations and customer service in Guam and Micronesia * Growing financial resources
• Building and sustaining campus infrastructure

A “research university” is a classification of the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Specifically, the University of Guam will work to become a Doctoral Professional University, which requires securing more than $5 million in annual federal research funds — UOG already far exceeds this at more than $17 million — and will lead to the development of UOG’s first doctoral degree programs.

As the university endeavors to expand its local, regional, national, and international partnerships, it will work to attain a second Carnegie classification — the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, which will formally recognize its commitment to the people in the region.

“We want the community to think of UOG when looking for solutions to island issues,” said Deborah Leon Guerrero, vice provost of institutional effectiveness.

The student experience initiative will focus on developing campus activities and facilities to assist and accommodate its diverse population of students. It wil alsol make academic, financial, and personal support and advising more readily available and accessible.

In becoming a model for operations and customer service, the university plans to implement a customer service philosophy, improve web and electronic processes, implement employee relations programs, and improve processes and service delivery.

Financially, the university is looking to develop a sustainable financial model to include the expansion of entrepreneurial, revenue-generating enterprises, seeking cost-saving measures, and engaging in private-public partnerships.

In developing its campus facilities and infrastructure, the university will focus on efficiency, environmental sustainability, and accessibility. Several new buildings are planned, including a School of Engineering, a Student Success Center, the Guam Cultural Repository, an international dormitory, and a School of Health expansion for the nursing program.

Further details on the plan can be viewed at https://www.uog.edu/parahulo/.