“It’s not because things are difficult that we dare not venture.
It’s because we dare not venture that things are difficult.”
Those 21 words, attributed to philosopher Seneca 2,000 years ago, provide insight into where ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø stands today.
We face challenges, but we have a plan, and we are confidently following it to a brighter future. Colleges and universities across the country are facing obstacles not known in generations, and at IUP, we are adapting, staying nimble, and working together. We know that overcoming challenges is usually difficult, but we are not deterred, because we believe in the virtue of
our work.
As you will see in this report, IUP is a university filled with curious people. We look at problems in creative ways, and we follow our plans with a commitment to our future and to the students we serve.
We are looking ahead, using our strategic plan as the North Star that will guide us. Using a seven-point list of presidential goals as the means to follow the plan, we are making our students, their needs, and their success our top priority, aiming to be an exceptionally student-centered university.
We will not do this passively. Changing times demand bold action, and that’s what we will do at IUP. We will shake up the status quo by disrupting the long-held ways of doing business in higher education while finding new ways to continue the great work we have always done.
We want to expand our offerings to bring more students to IUP for an exceptional academic journey while continuing to offer the in-demand programs we are known for. We want to grow our reputation so those who don’t already know it can see what a historically great university IUP is and the potential it has to change the world—one student at a time. We want to do these things together, with everyone from faculty, staff, and administration to alumni, community members, and elected officials aware of our plan and seeing how they can help.
We must venture ahead, finding new ways of doing things so we can adapt to our challenges and put our students in the best position to be successful. We will continue to face the future with curiosity, creativity, and commitment. Just as we always have, just as we always will.
Michael A. Driscoll
President