Strategic Plan

In 2022, Wayne State launched its five-year strategic plan, "Our Moment in Time," to guide the university’s future and strengthen its impact across Detroit, Michigan and beyond. Since then, Wayne State has made significant progress through enrollment growth, stronger student-success efforts, expanded research activity and deeper partnerships with communities, businesses and organizations. 

To build on that momentum and respond to the rapidly changing landscape of higher education, Wayne State launched an accelerated refresh of the strategic plan in 2025. The updated plan, “Our Time Is Now,” sharpens the university’s focus around 14 strategic priorities centered on student success and social mobility, research and innovation, and partnerships that strengthen Detroit and Michigan. 

The refresh process brought together faculty, staff, students and partners from across the university community to clarify priorities, align resources and create a more focused framework for action. The plan was submitted for approval by the Strategic Plan Refresh Committee in March 2026 and is currently being presented to university leadership, committees and the broader campus community. It is expected to be approved by the Wayne State Board of Governors by June 2026 and implemented during the 2026-27 academic year.