Strategic Planning

In 2013, NJCU launched Transforming Lives, the University's Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan was originally scheduled to be in effect for five years, 2013 - 2018. In 2017, the University began preparations for the MSCHE 2020 Self-Study. As part of this process, we reviewed progress made on the plan.

Based on the findings from that review and the focus on accreditation, the decision was made to continue the plan. Consequently, in June 2018, the Board of Trustees voted to continue the current Plan until completion of the Self-Study. 

With the completion of the Self-Study document in 2020, the University has launched it new strategic planning process.  This process is being guided by the Chief Strategy Officer. During this development,the University is operating under Transforming Lives, which is summarized below.

Our Mission

The mission at New Jersey City University (NJCU) is to provide a diverse population with an excellent education. The University is committed to the improvement of the educational, intellectual, cultural, socioeconomic, and physical environment of the surrounding urban region and beyond.

Goal 1: Enhance Academic Excellence

The work of higher education is the advancement of knowledge that will improve the world. Creating innovative academic programs, supporting faculty scholarship, and recognizing students as tomorrow’s leaders will infuse the learning experience with excitement for both students and faculty.

• Objective 1: Advance faculty excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.
• Objective 2: Develop and offer academic programs of the highest quality.
• Objective 3: Develop and implement a signature NJCU undergraduate experience that develops lifelong learners.
• Objective 4: Design and enact transformative graduate experiences that develop future leaders and scholars.

Goal 2: Achieve Student Success: Academic, Personal, and Social

NJCU is steadfast in its commitment to every facet of student success. In addition to rigorous academic achievement, all students are encouraged to develop a familiarity with other cultures and an awareness of their responsibilities as global citizens through community service and study abroad opportunities. Beyond producing successful alumni, the focus on student success may well improve retention and graduation rates.

• Objective 1: Graduate academically accomplished individuals with expertise in their discipline and in the university-wide outcomes of critical thinking, written and oral communication, quantitative literacy, information and technology literacy, and responsible citizenship in a culturally complex world.
• Objective 2: Advance students’ social and personal development.
• Objective 3: Increase retention and degree completion for all students.
• Objective 4: Enroll a diverse student body that will succeed at NJCU and beyond.

Goal 3: Enhance Resources and the University's Capacity to Achieve Vision

Recognizing that NJCU’s ability to fulfill its mission of access and excellence in higher education is dependent on its financial resources, it is necessary to explore new sources of support for the University. By increasing the variety and amount of funding, NJCU will be able to provide world-class facilities that support the academic pursuits of students and faculty.

• Objective 1: Advance core NJCU values of individual and institutional caring, growth, and excellence.
• Objective 2: Enhance and diversify revenue streams.
• Objective 3: Create a state-of-the-art campus to enhance the environment for teaching, learning, living, and working.

Goal 4: Strengthen NJCU Identity, Brand, Reputation, and Connections with the Community

A comprehensive marketing and communications plan that promotes NJCU’s accomplishments and goals and fosters the support of partners in business and government will enhance and improve all target areas in the strategic plan. A stronger commitment to the surrounding community, through collaborative service and enrichment, will encourage students to become engaged citizens and enable them and the University to be regarded as stakeholders in the community.

• Objective 1: Re-imagine and implement a new public image of NJCU as a diverse urban university of distinction.
• Objective 2: Develop strong campus-community relationships.