The future of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, as envisioned by Chancellor Andrew Rogerson, is innovative, affordable, and research driven. With a strategic plan in place, Rogerson believes UA Little Rock will one day embody every component of a 21st century university.

Rogerson shared his vision at his first University Assembly address at the spring assembly April 21 in the Donaghey Student Center.

His first eight months in office gave Rogerson the opportunity to examine UA Little Rock’s strengths and weaknesses, assessing what has helped and hurt the university’s growth.

From his research and discussions on campus and in the community, he created a five-year vision, giving faculty and staff a look at priorities for what’s next for the university:

• Reaffirming the importance of a broad, liberal arts education: With increased pressure from the state for a more vocational focus, instructors are encouraged to teach students a broad range of disciplines, along with a more in-depth study of a particular major, to prepare students for unlimited career and life choices.

• Changing the campus conversation: With enrollment on the decline, the university must be willing to change the environment and services of the campus to better suit the needs of potential students.

• Executing “15 in 5”: A five-year recruitment plan to gain and retain 15,000 students in five years, while making an education more accessible and affordable. Efforts for this plan have already began with UA-Pulaski Technical College and central Arkansas high schools.

• Creating a pathway for advising: A new advising framework that suggests students with undeclared majors see intake advisers until they’ve completed their prerequisites, saving faculty advisers time.

• Establishing a signature experience for students: Each UA Little Rock undergraduate will have the opportunity to have a relevant “signature” experience in research, scholarship, performance or an internship as part of their degree to give her or him the soft skills employers are demanding.

To achieve long-term goals, Rogerson said the university will focus on curriculum enhancement and revision, community engagement, implementation of a capital campaign, and application of the revised strategic plan.

Before opening the floor for discussion, Rogerson stressed the importance of teamwork and everyone’s role in making UA Little Rock a greater version of itself.

“Every member of this university can help effect change, whether it’s the groundskeepers who are transforming the look of the campus, the unsung staff heroes who are the silent engines of this university, or the dedicated faculty who transform lives,” he said. “You are all vital, and we must all work together to make this university reach the next level.”