Strategic Plan

Bowie State University is entering a decisive new chapter—one defined by bold ambition, academic distinction, and the pursuit of Carnegie R2 research classification. Elevate: The Graduate School’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029 charts this next era with clarity and conviction. Aligned fully with Bowie State University’s Boldly Forward strategic plan, Elevate lays the groundwork for a research-driven, innovation-centered, and student-empowering future. Together, Boldly Forward and Elevate form a unified roadmap: one that positions the Graduate School as the engine of Bowie State’s ascent, the catalyst for discovery, and the home of the scholars who will shape tomorrow.

Overview

In alignment with Bowie State University’s Boldly Forward Strategic Plan, the Elevate Strategic Plan charts a bold and transformative course for the Bowie State University Graduate School as it leads the university’s ascent toward Carnegie R2 research classification and national distinction. Built upon Bowie State’s legacy of innovation, access, and excellence, Elevate positions the Graduate School as the catalyst for research advancement, creative discovery, and 21st-century graduate education.

Guided by the spirit of “advancing research, innovation, and impact,” Elevate represents more than a roadmap, it is a movement. It calls for the intentional cultivation of academic brilliance, the building of agile research infrastructure, and the creation of life-changing graduate learning experiences that prepare scholars to lead in a rapidly evolving world.

The plan’s three strategic goals—Igniting Academic Brilliance, Positioning the Graduate School for a Bold and Innovative Future, and Cultivating Life-Changing Learning Experiences—reflect a holistic vision for growth that intertwines scholarship, creativity, and purpose. Each goal is anchored by actionable objectives that will expand research capacity, strengthen operational excellence, and redefine graduate education for the next generation of leaders and innovators.

Through initiatives such as the Graduate Research Center, Research Incubator, and Idea to Impact Grant Program, Elevate reimagines the Graduate School as a nexus of interdisciplinary collaboration, mentorship, and discovery. By investing in 21st-century learning modalities, ethical engagement with emerging technologies, and student-centered success structures, the plan ensures that Bowie State graduate scholars not only pursue knowledge—but use it to shape a more just, creative, and innovative world.

Ultimately, Elevate is about amplifying Bowie State University’s voice in the global research and innovation landscape. It signals a new era of graduate education—one where brilliance is ignited, impact is measurable, and the pursuit of knowledge uplifts communities and transforms the future.