Board hears strategic-plan update and President Licari’s report on enrollment and campus milestones

Janelle Whiteside, general counsel and vice president for organizational strategy, updated trustees on the Experience Austin Peay 2022–2027 strategic plan, saying more than half of tactics are completed, many others are in progress, and nine tactics are not being pursued given changed circumstances. Whiteside said the university increased direct faculty professional-development support, allocating $1,500 per faculty member for professional development this year, and is aligning degree programs with career competencies.

Whiteside also reported technology and facilities investments, including the opening of a new Health Professions Building this fall and rollouts of CourseDog and Parchment to streamline course and credential services. She described growth in the professional and workforce development center from about 42 learners to over 1,700 and cited expanded programs in EMT, phlebotomy, CDL trucking and electrical trades.

President Tim Licari reported on fall-semester accomplishments, noting Austin Peay led the state’s LGIs in enrollment growth this fall and reported freshman-class growth. He announced alumni fundraising successes during a Governing Tuesday event that raised more than $75,000 and said the athletics director search is underway with semifinal interviews in early January and on-campus finalist visits in late January.

Licari said the current strategic plan runs through June 2027 and that the university will start early work this spring on the next plan, with an externally focused process to demonstrate return on investment for state dollars and strengthened regional impact.