Ohio University President Gonzalez reflects on progress, strategy at State of the University Address

ATHENS - When Ohio University President Dr. Lori Stewart Gonzalez gave her first State of the University address since becoming president of Ohio University in 2023, she spoke of the progress that's been achieved, enrollment gains and the potential for pay increases to employees.

Speaking to a packed house at the Walter Hall Rotunda, Gonzalez emphasized the University's progress toward fulfilling its Dynamic Strategy's goals, a three-year plan centered around four distinctive goals – teaching and learning, research and discovery, and outreach and engagement. The fourth centers on the people and culture that undergird and enable the first three.

Gonzalez praised the progress made during the last 90 days and thanked faculty and staff for their involvement in crafting the strategy.

“Hundreds of you completed surveys, participated in discussions that would inform the development of the goals, strategies and actions that will set the course for us for the next three years,” Gonzalez said.

The University’s fall enrollment increased by 4.6%, and undergraduate enrollment on the Athens campus was up nearly 5% and 14% overall. The retention rate on the Athens campus also hit a two-decade high, reaching 84.1%, a statistic Gonzalez said was “worth celebrating.”

However, while Gonzalez said the University’s year-over-year growth and momentum was real, she cautioned that it was not sustainable in light of slower growth in enrollments nationally.

Nevertheless, Gonzalez said the University’s three-year plan seeks to counteract these trends by playing to the University’s strengths.

“It’s not about doing more. It’s about remembering what we do well, amplifying it and staying ahead in those areas of excellence,” she said. “It’s not about chasing every opportunity, but rather identifying the few that will best deliver value to our students and our state and pouring our energies into executing those with excellence.”

To accomplish this, Gonzalez announced plans to hire up to 15 new tenure-track faculty positions outlined in the Dynamic Strategy.

Decisions on specific hiring proposals will be made before the end of the fall semester and recruitment will begin in Spring. The hiring plan represents a recurring investment of approximately $1.5 million. One-time startup funds will also be provided to new research faculty.

“We know an investment in our faculty, including those already here, doing great work, is essential to long term success,” Gonzalez said. “I love our goal of becoming a destination employer for those passionate about the mission of higher education.”

As part of this strategy to attract talent, Gonzalez said the University would hold all employee benefit premiums flat for the next two years to place more money in the pockets of faculty and staff. She also said that changes in compensation were not off the table, provided the University can achieve its benchmarks.

“I know you want more in terms of real change to compensation, including higher annual raises, more opportunities for promotion or professional growth and recognition for exemplary performance,” Gonzalez said. “The question really isn’t if we’ll make those changes, but how we will make them and when we can, recognizing budget constraints.”

Gonzalez said the University would invest $500,000 to expand student access to internships, leadership experiences, research, study abroad and community engagement opportunities.

Gonzalez announced progress on several capital projects, including the construction of the Roderick J. McDavis Residence Hall on South Green and significant investments in the Gordon K. Bush Airport in Albany.

“These investments are important because we believe the airport can be a true catalyst for growth in Southeast Ohio and fuel economic growth in our region,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez concluded her inaugural address by assuring the audience that the University is backing up its words with action, making the investments and doing the work necessary to meet its three-year plan's ambitious goals, before thanking faculty and staff for their contributions since 2023.

“Thank you for all you have done and continue to do to make this university great. Now, let’s go and make it extraordinary.”