UNC launched its new strategic plan following its endorsement by the university’s Board of Trustees on Thursday.

The plan, titled Carolina Next: Innovations for Public Good, aims to address some of the university’s broader goals by creating a guide. It focuses on eight core initiatives identified through the Blueprint for Next, which was adopted in 2017.

The eight core areas of focus include: Build Our Community Together, Strengthen Student Success, Enable Career Development, Discover, Promote Democracy, Serve to Benefit Society, Globalize and Optimize Operations. Each of the initiatives have three objectives set to guide the university’s actions to improving and expanding its efforts within the areas of focus.

During the presentation to the board, Provost Bob Blouin said while the initiatives are not ranked in order of importance, Build Our Community Together is indeed the most important for UNC.

“We believe it belongs at the top because of where we are in this time,” said Blouin. “We feel that if we get that particular initiative right, then many of the others will be a lot easier for us to implement and execute.”

Guskiewicz said some elements of this top initiative have already begun, with his launch of the Commission on History, Race and A Way Forward, which is working to address and contextualize the university’s history regarding slavery and race relations. His announcement of a $5 million fund for community-building objectives, like the commission, also fits under the Build Our Community initiative.

“We have got to come together as a campus community: our leadership team, our faculty, staff, students,” said Guskiewicz. “[We need] to be sure that every member of our community knows that they belong here and that their voice is being heard. We have to implement a number of initiatives, and some of them already have been [with] recommendations to our new police chief, David Perry. But we’re excited about that initiative.”

Chair of the Board of Trustees Richard Stevens said the board is excited about the strategic plan, calling it a unique method of improvement for a university.

“It’s a bold statement,” he said. “Most businesses have a strategic plan, but most universities don’t. We’re unique in having any kind of [long-term] plan, but certainly one this bold. It’s unanimously endorsed by the board and it’s a great way forward.”

In a release of its announcement, UNC said it will pay for the opportunities and actions stemming from Carolina Next in varying ways. It said while no additional sources of funding in some instances, some will while others cause priorities to be shifted as the plan is enacted over the following years.

The university also said in its release leadership will continue to meet with groups across campus to discuss the plan in the coming months.

To learn more about Carolina Next, visit the university website dedicated to the strategic plan.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Athletic Director, Chancellor Say 'Corrective Action Plan' Being Developed After Football Investigation
One week after UNC closed its internal investigation into the Tar Heel football program for potential conduct and policy violations, the university's leaders shed more light on the decision and their next steps.
Steve Newmark Proposes Entity to Handle Athletic Revenue; Board of Trustees Tables Discussion
In a special meeting of the UNC Board of Trustees Tuesday, Athletic Director Steve Newmark presented a plan to create an associated entity dedicated to handling revenue generation for the department. “Over the last year, we’ve been doing an assessment on how to best position ourselves to tackle the increasing costs in collegiate athletics,” Newmark […]
The Morning News: UNC Degree Cuts, Vinfast, Michael Lombardi
In today's news: UNC prepares to cut four degree programs, and Bill Belichick and Lee Roberts weigh in on the Michael Lombardi situation.
Paused Degrees, Strong Fundraising, and An Arts District: Highlights of the July 2026 UNC Board of Trustees Meeting
Returning from an extended summer break — which saw board members skip a regular meeting in May — the UNC Board of Trustees and university leadership met this week for updates ahead of a new academic year.
Chansky's Notebook: Needs to Go...Now
With Michael Lombardi put onto administrative leave, UNC Athletics Director Steve Newmark has a tough, but clear, decision to make.
UNC's Ackland Art Museum Preparing for $70 Million Expansion, Earns Early Spending Authority for Project
UNC's Ackland Art Museum is exploring options for its first significant upgrades in decades, with plans to more than double its footprint.
The Morning News: Expanding the Ackland, Envisioning Carolina North
In today's news: UNC officials tour the future Carolina North site - and move forward on a big expansion of the Ackland Art Museum.
Past Rhymes With Present Times: Trumpism, Universities, and the Death of Socrates
Contemporary Trumpism attacks diverse social, political, and cultural communities throughout the United States, but the attacks share a common desire to discredit and weaken public institutions.
Former N.C. House Representative Dr. Kristin Baker Appointed to UNC Board of Trustees
The UNC System's Board of Governors approved Dr. Kristin Baker of Cabarrus County during its meeting on May 21, selecting the psychiatrist to fill the seat left by John Preyer's resignation.
Former UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz Elected President of Clemson University
Kevin Guskiewicz, who served as the chancellor of UNC for nearly five years before departing for Michigan State University in 2024, has been elected as the next president of Clemson University. Clemson announced Guskiewicz’s appointment Wednesday. Today, we welcome Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., as the next president of Clemson University. Together, we will continue advancing […]
›