The University of Iowa has submitted a revised 2022-2027 Strategic Plan for consideration at the Iowa Board of Regents meeting on Feb. 27. This midcycle update aligns the plan with the recently amended Board of Regents Strategic Plan and ensures compliance with new state laws — including Iowa Code Chapter 261J. It also allows the UI to assess progress, refine strategies, and set ambitious new goals for the coming years. 

Now at the halfway point of the strategic plan, the university has surpassed key targets in student retention and graduation rates, research growth, and health care expansion. The proposed updates to the plan reflect the ongoing challenges, opportunities, and aspirations for the university. 

Updating goals and metrics for success

The midcycle update allowed the university to refine metrics and update target goals for 2027 in retention, graduation, and patient care. Key changes include:

• The 2027 target for fall-to-fall retention of first-year undergraduate students increased from 90% to 91%.
• The 2027 target for four-year undergraduate completion rates increased from 58% to 65%.
• Iowa will now target a 30% increase in average patient encounters across UI Health Care settings since the start of the plan.
• Targets to reduce retention and graduation gaps have changed from underrepresented minority students to Pell Grant recipients, broadening the scope to focus on supporting more students from low-income households. 
• Metrics that are no longer measurable — such as campus climate survey participation rates — have been removed.

Building on commitment to access and opportunity

Iowa remains committed to fostering a welcoming and engaging environment where students, faculty, and staff from wide-ranging backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints can contribute to a thriving campus community. As part of this midcycle update:

• Iowa’s core value of inclusion has been broadened to ensure it reflects the aim to provide an environment where all individuals are valued and encouraged to contribute to shared success.
• The definition of diversity has been updated to reflect a wider range of perspectives, experiences, and viewpoints. 
• The “Welcoming and Inclusive Environment” priority has been renamed “Welcoming Environment” to align with the mission of the newly created Division of Access, Opportunity, and Diversity and to ensure compliance with Iowa Code Chapter 261J.
• Objectives within this area have been refined to emphasize access and opportunity for all students, faculty, and staff.
• Strategies related to civic dialogue and engagement remain a core component of the plan, underscoring Iowa’s commitment to building respect and understanding across differences. 

The proposed updates ensure that Iowa’s strategic plan remains aligned with its mission and vision. It also builds on the achievements of the first half of the plan to address the evolving needs of the campus community and ensure that the university remains a destination of choice for talented students, faculty, and staff.

A full version of the midcycle update will be shared on the strategic plan website, strategicplan.uiowa.edu, after the Feb. 27 Iowa Board of Regents meeting.