Temple University has introduced a new strategic plan, “Forward with Purpose,” which was approved by the university’s Board of Trustees during a public session on January 28, 2026. The announcement comes just over a year after John Fry became Temple’s 15th president.
“We are uniquely positioned to set the standard for urban research universities in opportunity, engagement and discovery,” Fry said when he first addressed the Temple community following his appointment.
The strategic planning process began in February 2025 and aimed to build upon the university’s previous 2022 Strategic Plan. The goal was to align institutional priorities with the changing needs of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the North Philadelphia community. The plan also seeks to further invest in academic excellence.
“The beginning of the strategic plan is really a watershed moment for us as an institution,” Fry stated. “It has been no secret that I am very confident when it comes to this university and its potential to set the standard as one of the most consequential urban research universities in the nation. Now, we have the blueprint to help us accomplish that goal, and I am deeply grateful to co-chairs Interim Provost David Boardman and Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives Richard Souvenir as well as the Strategic Plan Steering and Executive committees for all the work that they did to help us arrive at this point.”
The plan is organized around three main priorities: Student Success, Research in Action, and Place-based Impact. Three foundational principles—Innovation for Excellence, Partnerships, and Operational and Financial Strength—support these priorities. These six elements create a framework intended to guide Temple’s future decisions.
“This plan truly gives Temple a roadmap for the next decade, a beacon that should illuminate and guide every important decision,” said Boardman. “At the heart of it is service to our students and to our region. I am proud of the collaborative effort to get to this point, and I am looking forward to the important work ahead.”
The development process included input from more than 2,200 members of Temple’s community through town halls, listening sessions, or online platforms. A Steering Committee representing each of Temple’s 17 academic schools and colleges contributed feedback alongside students, alumni, staff, and community partners.
“In creating this plan, one of the key things we focused on was stakeholder engagement,” said Souvenir. “One of the lessons from the last planning cycle was the value of engaging people earlier and more consistently. This time, we focused on making sure the community had visibility into the work as it was happening so the final plan felt shared and expected.”
“Forward with Purpose” is designed as a guiding document through 2034—the year marking Temple’s 150th anniversary. The vision outlined states: “By 2034, the 150th anniversary of our founding, Temple will be known and respected as one of the nation’s leading urban public research universities—an innovative institution that provides a high-value, accessible education, produces research and creative discoveries with true impact, and serves as a model of community leadership and partnership.”
Souvenir noted that while attention has already been given to these priorities at Temple University, having an official plan allows for greater accountability in measuring progress.
“When we talk about place-based impact, we have been intentional about articulating work that needs to be done in partnership with the North Philly community. Research in Action is specifically about addressing urban research challenges,” Souvenir explained. “This plan reflects what we want Temple to be known for—with student success at the center of all we do. We want students to have a multifaceted learning experience that includes opportunities to take advantage of our urban location and partner with local organizations in support of their educational goals.”
Implementation will begin over coming weeks and months with faculty playing an important role. The university emphasized that while this is now its official strategic direction through 2034—and beyond—the approach will remain flexible so it can adapt while keeping students’ needs central.
