Strategic Plan

Strategic Planning Process

In September 2025, Chancellor Esterberg convened a Strategic Planning Committee for the 2025-26 academic year to guide the development of UW Bothell’s next Strategic Plan.

Working in partnership with Praxis HR, a consulting firm with extensive experience supporting strategic planning in higher education, the committee engaged students, staff, faculty, alumni and external partners to gather broad input and ensure the plan reflects the values, aspirations and priorities of our diverse community.

Throughout the year, the strategic planning process included multiple opportunities for participation and feedback:

  • Fall 2025: More than 265 students, faculty and staff participated in in-person and virtual SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) sessions to identify UW Bothell’s strengths, challenges, emerging opportunities and external factors shaping the University’s future.
  • January 2026: More than 1,020 students, faculty and staff completed an anonymous survey that covered topics such as strategic focus areas, academic programs, the student experience, campus services, institutional strengths and opportunities for improvement.
  • January to February 2026: More than 235 alumni and more than 75 community partners shared their perspectives through anonymous surveys examining UW Bothell’s strengths, challenges, strategic priorities and future opportunities.
  • March 2026: Students, faculty and staff participated in three, in-person feedback sessions to review key findings, discuss strengths and challenges, and evaluate potential strategic directions and priorities for the years ahead.

In spring 2026, the Strategic Planning Committee and Steering Committee synthesized the input gathered through these engagement efforts and refined focus areas, themes and priorities to shape the strategic plan. The insights and perspectives from the campus community, our alumni and community partners were instrumental in developing a plan that builds on UW Bothell’s strengths, addresses emerging opportunities and challenges, and advances our mission in the years ahead. The final strategic priorities will be shared at the Fall Kick Off for faculty and staff on Sept. 23, 2026, marking the transition from planning to implementation.