An aerial view of Walter Athletics Center from a drone flying over Lake Michigan to the northeast

R.I.S.E. Northwestern: A Strategic Plan For Excellence

4/25/2023 9:55:00 AM | General

Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Dr. Derrick Gragg Publicly Unveils Mission, Vision & Values For Next Five Years

EVANSTON, Illinois -- Following a comprehensive, inclusive, year-long process, Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Dr. Derrick Gragg on Tuesday publicly unveiled 'R.I.S.E. Northwestern: A Strategic Plan For Excellence' to establish the mission, vision and values of the department over the next five years. 

R.I.S.E. Northwestern

"In February 2022 we began a process that solicited input from more than 1,500 constituents, in order to understand where the Department of Athletics and Recreation stands and where it will advance from here," Gragg said. "The result will guide our decision-making, allocation of resources, and daily commitment to who we are and who we aspire to become. This strategic plan builds on the incredible foundation established by both current and former Wildcats and focuses on four key areas (Student-Athlete Experience, Competitive Success, Organizational Effectiveness, and Community Engagement) that will position Northwestern for success now and in the future." 



The name of 'R.I.S.E. Northwestern' reflects the department's four core values of Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence. The Department of Athletics and Recreation strives to create an inclusive environment that delivers life-changing opportunities to support and empower Wildcats to reach their maximum potential in pursuit of excellence in the classroom, in competition and in the community. 
 
"The product of our strategic planning process is a living document that will guide Wildcats athletics over the next three-to-five years in the rapidly evolving world of college sports," said Deputy Athletic Director/Chief of Staff Monique Holland, co-chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. "This process would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication from a diverse and collaborative group from across our campus and community, and we are extremely grateful for their selfless investment of time and effort to move our department forward in support of more than 500 student-athletes."
 
The Strategic Planning Committee was thoughtfully and intentionally comprised of department staff, student-athletes and coaches, as well as University alumni, faculty and deans. The team led focus groups and small-group reflections, and conducted extensive surveys of stakeholders, beginning during the summer of 2022.

To learn how you can make a direct impact and advance the student-athlete experience for 19 Northwestern teams, visit SupportTheCats.com today.

 
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