The University of the District of Columbia’s new five-year strategic plan, Delivering on the Promise, is a product of President Maurice D. Edington’s vision, along with deep collaboration and dedication from a remarkable group of stakeholders from across the university, the District and the region. Their collective effort reflects a deep commitment to UDC’s future.
Delivering on the Promise is built on three key pillars: excellence in student achievement, strong alignment with local workforce needs, and impactful community service. The plan aims to deliver on the university’s promise to be:
- A world-class flagship university for the nation’s capital.
- A national model for urban student success.
- The District’s engine for workforce and economic mobility.
- A research and innovation hub addressing the District’s critical needs.
- A unifying force for all university stakeholders, driving a shared vision for One UDC.
“Our vision is simple: we excel, we work, we serve,” said Dr. Edington. “These values have always been part of our DNA. We’ve consistently produced high achievers who excel in their fields, prepared students to transition seamlessly from our campus into their careers, and inspired innovators and leaders who give back to their communities. Now, we have an opportunity to build on this incredible momentum and move even further and faster toward fulfilling our promise.”
The plan outlines a number of ambitious goals, such as doubling the number of degrees awarded each year, improving retention, enhancing post-graduate outcomes, and introducing more dual enrollment and early-college programs. It also aims to expand academic support services, scholarships and financial aid, and funding for research and development on campus.
UDC already boasts some of the highest-ranked academic programs in the country and is a sought-after destination for research and partnerships. As one of the nation’s top public HBCUs, this strategic plan captures our current momentum and positions us to thrive in the years ahead.
UDC is already making a significant impact: last year alone, 88 student-attorneys from the David A. Clarke School of Law provided over 33,000 hours of free legal services to the community. The Firebird Farm and urban food hubs donated more than four tons of fresh produce. UDC also continued its important work with underserved youth in the District, including through a recent environmental justice internship for high school students.
Additionally, the university’s research centers are at the forefront of finding solutions in areas like nanotechnology, water resources and climate change. We have strong partnerships with agencies like NASA, Microsoft, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Army and the National Science Foundation, with funding reaching as high as $41 million in 2022, plus a $2 million corporate grant awarded last year.
“Anyone who doubts our immense potential doesn’t know UDC,” Dr. Edington said. “We’re unstoppable when we come together—when we invest in each other and in a shared vision of greatness for this university. One UDC.”