During 2009-2010, US News placed UC on its “up and coming university” and Best National Universities lists. The Chronicle of Higher Education called UC a “research heavyweight,” Forbes magazine named UC one of the world’s most beautiful campuses, and UC became the only public institution in Ohio named a “green university” by Princeton Review. As we approach the milestone of our university’s 200th anniversary in 2019, we have a unique opportunity…and a responsibility….to build not only on these accomplishments but also on all of the strengths of our past and present, to create a future that places our university among the best in the world.

This document sets the agenda of the University of Cincinnati for the near future as we build toward our bicentennial celebration. It unveils UC2019►.

The UC2019► plan reflects the consultation of many people. This plan took shape through extensive discussions with UC’s vast array of stakeholders, including our Board of Trustees, President’s Cabinet, deans, faculty, students, staff, alumni, donors and friends of the university.

Many who contributed to this plan will remember that its predecessor, UC|21, emerged from a process that was massive and historic. It is too soon to justify such a time- and resource-consuming process again. We all recognize that the old plan, after six years, needed some work.  In developing this new plan, our process was more streamlined and cost-effective.

The university community will recognize the themes presented here because we have been discussing them since President Williams arrived. The goals presented here take us in a new direction. They reflect that we, as a community, know how UC measures up and where it needs more energy.

We have made many great strides in recent years, but we must accelerate our advancement.  We need focused, ambitious, achievable and measurable goals.

UC|21 was about “defining.” UC2019► is about “achieving.”  We are ready to take our place among the elite institutions of this nation. We can and will be more competitive, on measurable metrics, with appropriate benchmark institutions. We will measure ourselves against the premier group known as the Association of American Universities and against the Top American Research Universities as defined in the “Lombardi report.” We will set objectives that will move us up these ladders.

To become a truly global university, we will achieve greater success in world-wide education and outreach. If students come to UC and never have the chance to venture outside the United States, we are failing them miserably. Similarly, if we want our students to thrive in a global environment, we must be open and committed to attracting students from around the world. To educate tomorrow’s citizens, we must expand opportunities for global engagement in our curriculum.

In our role as a global university, we also commit ourselves to enhancing our diversity. The Princeton Review has ranked us among America’s 20 most diverse campuses. But we can do better. We must maintain and improve our record on inclusiveness.

Concerns about the environment, the global climate and our carbon footprint are real. In our role as a good citizen, UC will now count sustainability among our measures of success. We are proud to be part of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. Named a “green university” by Princeton Review and the only public institution in Ohio to achieve that status, we have a great track record in the careful and responsible approach to our environment and resources. We will stay committed to this issue, not only because it is good for future generations, but because careful use of resources is important now.

Excellent health care and patient services represent much of who we are as a university. Approximately half the university’s resources are applied to the excellent health care we provide, improving the quality of life and the general well-being of people everywhere. UC will create one of America’s great academic health centers, where new discoveries and research breakthroughs are developed and shared worldwide.

Our collective success will be measured by our ability to meet the goals set forth here. Our individual performances will be measured by the responsibility we take in contributing to collective success. The goals attached here offer a map of how we will move from a period of definition into a period of focus and achievement.