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FROM THE PRESIDENT

Focusing on a brighter future

All of us bring light to exciting solutions never tried before. For it is our hope that implores us, at our uncompromising core. To keep rising up for an earth more than worth fighting for.
– Amanda Gorman, “The Hill We Climb”

Dr. Tracy Hall

Although National Youth Poet Laureate (2017) Amanda Gorman spoke from a global perspective in her poem “The Hill We Climb,” her words are nonetheless fitting for this moment in Southwest’s journey. We have come to and through the pandemic and now are positioned to blaze forward. We are enlightened by the lessons we learned and our resolve to relentlessly pursue student success has been fueled by the challenges we faced and do face.

We have charted a path forward and the Tennessee Board of Regents last month approved our Focus 2025 Strategic Plan.  The leadership team, faculty and staff worked diligently to develop a document that will serve as a road map to increased student success, continued relevance and improved performance. The plan also will guide our efforts as we create seamless pathways to existing and emerging careers. Therefore, the three focus areas outlined in Focus 2025 are students, community and excellence. 

Why 2025? Focus 2025 has been carefully crafted to support successful future reaccreditation. Therefore, our accomplishments over the next three years will lay the foundation for the College’s reaccreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools – Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) in 2025.  

At Fall Convocation, many of you signed up for committees charged with helping to set the plan’s tactics in motion. Chairpersons have been assigned to oversee the committees tasked with leading the execution of each strategic plan tactic. The Planning and Budget Committee (PBC) will oversee the committees and focus the College’s resources on supporting the implementation of the strategic plan’s tactics. PBC chairs are Budget Director Sherry Greene and Research and Organizational Effectiveness Executive Director Selena Grimes. 

The PBC will meet the first Wednesday of every month to ensure the tactics are moving forward as planned and will address concerns, answer questions and celebrate the committees’ successes. Greene and Grimes will update senior leaders on the committees’ progress at the President’s Cabinet meetings.

Focus 2025 is our commitment to continuous improvement and to focusing our precious resources on what we know works. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the development of Focus 2025 and to those who are working to help the college execute the tactics. 

We are here for the students and the community. And we are committed to an unrelenting pursuit of excellence in all we do. Individually, we each can make an impact. Together, we can achieve more. 

Thank you for all you do for Southwest, our students and the Mid-South!

 Dr. Tracy Hall

Dr. Tracy D. Hall
President