Writing Our Next Chapter | 2026-2031
As our current strategic plan, Excellence. Access. Ambition., concludes on June 30, we can take great pride in all we have accomplished together. Our efforts to continue this successful trajectory continue in earnest, and we need your participation to help us build what comes next through the strategic planning process. This page is your home base for everything related to that process — the timeline, ways to get involved, highlights of the plan we are completing, and the questions we are asking together as we look toward 2031.
Within the framework of six connected themes, we are bringing together voices from across our campus community to help set priorities that strengthen academic excellence, expand opportunities for students, and position Monmouth for continued progress as a national leader at integrating excellence and access.
We cannot overstate how much your participation matters. The plan that emerges from this effort will only be as strong as the voices that shape it. Please explore this page, register for a community input session, and complete the community survey. Every perspective counts.
Richard Veit, Ph.D.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Steering Committee Co-Chair
Emily Miller-Gonzalez, J.D.
Chief of Staff
Steering Committee Co-Chair
Questions or comments?
Community Input Sessions
Strategic planning at Monmouth is driven by collaboration, data, and transparency. Faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend sessions of interest. RSVPs are encouraged, but not required.
We want to hear from you about:
- What Monmouth does exceptionally well, and what we should protect and build upon
- Where we have room to grow, improve, or rethink our approach
- What it means for Monmouth to operate as a National University, and what opportunities that creates
- What our students, and the students we hope to serve, will need from us over the next five years
- Where we should focus our energy and investment to make the greatest difference
Buildings, Grounds, and Technology
Tuesday, March 3
9-9:50 a.m.
Pozycki 115
Student Experience
Tuesday March 3
Noon-1 p.m.
Pozycki 115
Diversity, Access, and Inclusion
Wednesday, March 4
10:15-11:15 a.m.
Pozycki 115
Financial Sustainability
Wednesday, March 4
1:15-2:10 p.m.
Pozycki 115
Reach and Reputation
Thursday, March 5
11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Pozycki 205
Academic Excellence
Monday, March 9
8:45-9:45 a.m.
Pozycki 115
Student Experience
Monday, March 9
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Pozycki 115
Diversity, Access, and Inclusion
Tuesday, March 10
Noon-1 p.m.
Pozycki 115
Academic Excellence
Wednesday, March 11
1:15-2:10 p.m.
Pozycki 115
General Session
Wednesday, March 11
9:50-10:30 a.m.
Graduate Center Room 139
Reach and Reputation
Thursday, March 12
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Pozycki 205
Buildings, Grounds, and Technology
Friday, March 13
10-11 a.m.
Pozycki 115
Financial Sustainability
Friday, March 13
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Pozycki 115
Highlights from Our Current Plan
Before we build what comes next, it is worth recognizing how far we have come. Please review some of the most significant achievements of our current strategic plan accomplished by this community.
Recognition & Institutional Standing
Designated a National University by U.S. News & World Report—a formal recognition of Monmouth’s expanded academic scope, research activity, and national reach
Earned a Carnegie Research Classification, placing Monmouth among a select group of 542 institutions nationally recognized for research activity and spending, and one of only four private universities in New Jersey to hold this distinction
Accreditation reaffirmed by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education with 12 commendations, an extraordinary distinction reflecting the quality and consistency of our academic programs, student support, and institutional governance
Fundraising & Financial Strength
Comprehensive campaign on track to surpass $185 million—nearly 105 percent towards the $175 million goal, and more than double the original $75 million target set when the plan launched in 2021
Completed a graduate tuition reset and established the Brookdale Community College partnership to strengthen enrollment pipelines
Established the Innovation Fund to incubate and launch new revenue-producing initiatives outside the normal budgeting process
Launched two marquee annual fundraising events—the Gala at the Great Hall and the Golf Outing—generating significant support for student success
Academic Programs & Student Outcomes
Launched new accelerated degree pathways including 3+3 programs in Physician Assistant Studies and Occupational Therapy, and a 4+2 pathway in Speech-Language Pathology
Expanded online program offerings across graduate programs including MSN, MBA, MSW, and MA pathways
Reimagined Center for Entrepreneurship
First-year student retention rate reached 83.3 percent, meeting the plan’s target and reflecting meaningful progress in student success and support
Launched the Monmouth Edge program and expanded Winter Session offerings to strengthen student academic pathways
Campus & Student Life
Completed the Great Hall interior transformation, returning Monmouth’s most iconic building to its original purpose as a vibrant student hub, including the Parson Café and the Julian Francis Abele Room
Opened the Parton Broadcasting Center, a state-of-the-art production facility supporting both academics and Division I athletics coverage
Opened the Linda Grunin Simulation Lab & Learning Center
Reimagined the Career Development Center and launched Handshake, a modern career management system connecting students with top employers
Launched NCAA Division I Women’s Rowing, expanding athletic and campus life opportunities for students
Completed the Pinewood/Elmwood Hall residence upgrades and campus enhancements including the Center for Entrepreneurship and artificial turf field replacements
Timeline and Progress
- December 2025
- Appointed Co-Chairs and assembeled Steering Committee
- Affirmed continued importance and relevance of six themes in current plan
- January 2026
- Developed subcommittees based on six themes
- Reviewed progress on 2021-2026 strategic plan
- Determined overarching process and timeline
- February 2026
- Built website as “home base” for campus community
- Developed targeted surveys for faculty/staff and students to gather feedback
- Presented process overview to Board of Trustees for endorsement
- Conducted meetings with governance bodies
- March 2026
- Host series of Community Input Sessions for faculty, staff, and students
- Collect initial ideas and recommendations from the community
- Synthesize and organize ideas into measurable objectives
- April 2026
- Develop draft goals and objectives
- Gather feedback from President Leahy and the Senior Leadership Team
- Share draft plan with campus community for comment
- May 2026
- Incorporate campus feedback into final draft plan
- June 2026
- Present plan to the Board of Trustees for approval
- Celebrate success of 2021-2026 plan and prepare for launch of new plan
- July 2026
- Promote new plan to Monmouth University community
Strategic Plan Steering Committee
Christine Benol
Associate Vice President for Institutional Research and Effectiveness
Andrew Brannen
Vice President and Chief Business Officer
Joseph F. Coyle, Ph.D.
Dean;
Professor
Jason Fitzgerald, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Interim CETL Director;
Social Studies Education;
Program Director of Interdisciplinary Studies for Elementary Educators (ISEE)
Matthew Harmon, Ed.D.
Senior Specialist;
Sports Communication Minor Coordinator;
WMCX Sports Broadcasting Advisor;
Surf Club Advisor;
Sports Industry Club Co-Advisor
Jihad Johnson
Assistant Director for the Intercultural Center
Lucy Mason
Senior Associate Athletic Director for Administration
Christopher Mckittrick, PsyD, LPC, ACS
Director of Counseling and Prevention Services
Emily Miller-Gonzalez
Chief of Staff
James Pillar, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Life
Richard Veit, Ph.D.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs;
Professor
Lauren Vento Cifelli
Associate Vice President For Undergraduate And Graduate Admission
Lindsay Wood
Senior Director for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving
Minna Yu, Ph.D.
Director of the Institute for Global Understanding;
Professor
Joelle Zabotka, Ph.D., LCSW, LCADC
Associate Professor;
Chair;
MSW Program Director;
Play Therapy Graduate Certificate Coordinator
Student Members
Mark Volpe
Kelly Sniffen