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With a community-created Strategic Compass to guide the way, Christopher Newport University is ready to achieve its goal of being the #1 regional public university in the U.S.
The Compass, the result of months of work by hundreds of people, sets four priorities for the University and is headlined by the University’s new Vision Statement:
Anchored in excellence and focused on students, Christopher Newport University aspires to be the nation’s premier regional public university, offering an innovative education embedded in the liberal arts that advances the values of honor, service, scholarship, and leadership to empower graduates to lead lives of significance.
The Board of Visitors (BoV), the University’s governing board, unanimously adopted a resolution on February 7, 2025, that approved the Strategic Compass 2025-2030 and outlined the process that led to its creation.
In communications to the campus community, President William G. Kelly said, “This is a historic day in the life of Christopher Newport University. Congratulations, and thank you to all who made it possible. Because of you, the future of this University we cherish is bright, and our direction is clear.”
Students, faculty, staff, alumni, the Board of Visitors and friends of the University developed the Compass over the course of 19 months. Their work was inspired by the University’s namesake, explorer Christopher Newport, who used a compass and other rudimentary navigational tools to cross the ocean and then establish the first English settlement in North America.
The CNU Compass comprises four priorities, followed by a cascading collection of goals and objectives. These are summaries of the priorities:
- Advance the Power and Promise of an Education Embedded in the Liberal Arts.
- Connect with Our Community.
- Create a Stronger Culture of Inclusion and Belonging.
- Build a Foundation to Thrive.
You can read the full Compass here.
As for what happens next, the BoV’s resolution concluded with the following approach: “The President is authorized to take and direct all appropriate actions necessary to implement the Strategic Compass.”
In the weeks to come, after receiving feedback at campus town halls and through other avenues and in consultation with representatives of all parts of our community, President Kelly will name the leaders and teams responsible for following the Compass to achieve the Vision.
“Christopher Newport University’s Strategic Compass will ensure our sails are full and our course is steady as we continue to serve the students of the Commonwealth and beyond, preparing them to lead lives of significance,” President Kelly said.