UIS is at an important moment in its history. The decisions we make over the next several years will shape not only how we operate, but who we aspire to become as a university.

One effort designed to support that work is our newly established University Leadership Council. The ULC is a collaborative advisory and leadership development group charged with advancing institutional priorities, strengthening communication and engagement and fostering a culture of shared leadership across the university. The Council brings together faculty, staff and administrators to promote university-wide thinking, strengthen connections between divisions and help move strategic initiatives forward.

With our Strategic Compass expiring in 2028, the group's first meeting in September focused on one important question: What should UIS prioritize during the next planning cycle? While many ideas were discussed, three priorities consistently emerged as the areas most likely to shape UIS’ future:

• External and workforce partnerships
• Internal partnerships and institutional culture; and
• Institutional identity

Faculty and staff are encouraged to provide feedback on each of these areas to support the ULC’s conversations and resulting workplans. As ULC members continue exploring these priorities, their recommendations will help inform the development of our next strategic plan.

Please complete the ULC working group accomplishments feedback form by Oct. 28 and be as specific as possible. What opportunities do you see? What challenges need to be addressed? And what outcomes would you like to see UIS achieve?