Kent State Athletics is excited to unveil a new strategic plan that positions the department to have a meaningful impact on student-athletes, campus and community.
In alignment with Kent State University's mission and objectives, the "Play as One - #Flashes Forever" initiative was a team effort led by Director of Athletics Randale L. Richmond.
In a collaborative effort, 13 departments helped develop the plan. "All parts of campus had a voice in its creation," Richmond said.
Every detail supports the department's mission: GRADUATE student-athletes, BOLDLY prepared for life after sport, and WIN championships. The plan also aligns with the department's vision to be "a nationally recognized comprehensive athletics program that INSPIRES communities and TRANSFORMS lives."
The strategic planning process reinforces the guiding principle of the department as one that is "student-athlete centered, coach led, and administrator supported." After detailed research over the past few months, eight priority areas were created to outline the plan. These priority areas led to the creation of 20 goals, 45 strategies and 100 action items. Each goal, strategy and action item ensures that all decisions will support the overall mission, vision and guiding principle of Kent State Athletics.
The effort demonstrates the need for the university to continue to transform and re-imagine the role athletics plays at Kent State. The integration of the Athletics department within the university is evidenced by the fact that more than half of the action items in the strategic plan will be accomplished working in conjunction with other divisions across the university.
"We are very excited for the foundation we have built, and look forward to its implementation," Richmond said. "This strategic plan could not have been done without the effort, help and support of our leadership team and our priority area working groups. The Kent State Athletic Department and Kent State University would like to thank each and every member who helped put this plan together."
"I would like to offer a special thank you to Dr. Kathy Wilson, our Athletics Faculty Representative," said Richmond. "Her consistent leadership throughout the strategic planning process has been imperative to the successful development of this plan. We are incredibly fortunate to have an advocate like Kathy supporting our athletics staff, student-athletes and the department as a whole."
To see the original article as well as the full Leadership Team, please visit: https://kentstatesports.com/news/2021/8/31/general-kent-state-unveils-athletics-strategic-plan.aspx.