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Emerging Strategies

Proposed Strategies for Stability, Viability, Resilience and Growth



CSU Identity and Reputation

Solidify CSU’s identity and reputation as a leader in public higher education by defining its unique value for internal and external audiences:

  • Elevate the unique qualities that make CSU excellent
  • Establish a foundational value proposition for the CSU
  • Define the CSU’s distinct identity, core purpose and values
  • Highlight the CSU’s commitment to social mobility and regional economic development

System-Level Collaboration

Prioritize system-level collaboration to create a more agile and responsive CSU system that supports the evolving needs of students, employers and communities:

  • Strengthen shared services, operational efficiencies and technological innovations
  • Streamline administrative functions and consolidate instructional and support services across the 22 CSU campuses
  • Foster greater collaboration and resource-sharing among CSU campuses and external partners to improve program quality and maximize impact

Affordability and Financial Stability

Establish CSU’s position as an affordable and financially viable educational system:

  • Develop new revenue streams and diversify funding sources to enhance the educational and student experience
  • Implement cost-saving measures and operational efficiencies to minimize students’ financial burden
  • Enhance financial aid program and scholarships
  • Proactively address budget challenges and seize strategic investment opportunities

Student-Centered Experience

Cultivate a student-centered experience that provides personalized, high-impact learning experiences and responsive instruction and support systems:

  • Shift CSU’s primary focus to the student’s experience and journey
  • Broaden the traditional concept of students to encompass a diverse, lifelong learning community
  • Provide tailored, on-demand support services
  • Foster a sense of belonging and well-being
  • Leverage data and technology to provide customized learning experiences

Innovative Teaching and Learning

Champion innovative teaching and learning to meet the evolving needs of modern learners
Design flexible learning pathways:

  • Provide on-demand access to content and support services
  • Invest in state-of-the-art digital infrastructure and technologies to enhance personalized learning, student engagement and practical hands-on experiences
  • Empower faculty to innovate and test new instructional methods, technologies and experiential learning approaches

Economic Empowerment and Social Mobility

Ensure economic empowerment and social mobility for students by providing skills in high demand:
  • Enhance graduate employability and resilience through curricula that offer agile, transferable skills needed in adaptive, knowledge-intensive careers
  • Leverage CSU’s talent production to drive regional economic development and support knowledge-based industries in California
  • Foster strong industry partnerships to continuously adapt programs to the dynamic needs of the economy

People-Centered Employment Practices

Recruit, retain and support a highly skilled, adaptable and dedicated workforce that will achieve collective impact and drive institutional transformation:
  • Ensure the system has the organizational capacity, talent and workplace culture to achieve its strategic goals
  • Invest in comprehensive professional development and personalized learning pathways for faculty and staff
  • Foster a culture of adaptation and continuous improvement
  • Enhance talent attraction and retention through competitive compensation and inclusive work environments

Adaptive and Responsive Infrastructure

Create policies, routines and systems that allow for real-time adaptability and responsiveness to changing internal and external conditions:
  • Establish an infrastructure that facilitates continuous improvement and reproduces excellence
  • Build capacity among system leaders to proactively lead and manage organizational change

*Last updated February 13, 2025