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Nearly six months ago, the University of Arizona showcased how the university's impact will be enhanced through Delivering on Our Promise, strategic imperatives focused on advancing student success, research and engagement. President Suresh Garimella on Thursday updated the Arizona Board of Regents on the university's progress implementing those imperatives, during the inaugural "Reporting on Our Promise" presentation.

"Our strategic imperatives give focus to our daily work," Garimella said. "We have a common purpose: educating the next generation, making discoveries that advance our understanding of the world and help make it a better place, and empowering our state and communities around the world for a bright future. Now that we have articulated what drives us as one of the world's premier public universities, we are proud to report how we are delivering on our promise." 

Provost and Chief Academic Officer Patricia Prelock and Senior Vice President for Research and Partnerships Tomás Díaz de la Rubia joined Garimella to discuss progress on two of the three imperatives of Delivering on Our Promise. 

Shaping 'Success for Every Student'

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Prelock focused on recent efforts to engage with the university and greater community to foster and support academic opportunities for students throughout their Wildcat journeys. Since joining the U of A in May, she has met with more than 420 faculty members, staff, students, alumni, donors, Tribal leaders and other partners in listening sessions hosted on campus and throughout Arizona.

"These conversations have been invaluable in shaping our shared vision for the University of Arizona," Prelock said. "What I heard consistently was that our university is home to extraordinary faculty and staff who are deeply dedicated to student success. Together, we will make the University of Arizona a model for what 'Success for Every Student' truly means."

Leveraging community insight and feedback, Prelock worked with her academic leadership team, which includes college deans and department heads, as well as Faculty Senate and other shared governance leaders to develop the university's Academic Success Goals:

• Increase student retention and graduation rates
• Improve career readiness and outcomes
• Develop a four-year success plan for every student
• Advance graduate student mentorship and support
• Build a stronger sense of community for transfer students
• Create an integrated ecosystem for student success pathways

Prelock added that the U of A is committed to providing clear, navigable and seamless experiences for transfer students by working with community and Tribal colleges throughout the state to develop and strengthen new and current pathways to the university.

"As we move forward, these efforts are not just about improving systems or processes," Prelock said. "They are about creating a culture where every student feels seen, supported and capable of success."

Research that powers and protects Arizona's future

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Díaz de la Rubia and members of his team shared an update on Research that Shapes the Future, the second imperative of Delivering on Our Promise. He began by thanking the Arizona Board of Regents for its $20 million investment in the university's strategic research initiatives, which include fusion energy, space sciences and national security, and artificial intelligence and machine learning designed to enhance biomedical discovery and improve health care outcomes.

"Across our campus and our state, research is the engine of progress," Díaz de la Rubia said. "Arizona is doubling down on innovation with urgency and ambition, because we know that federal funding landscapes are shifting. That's why we are actively building new partnerships to ensure our research enterprise remains competitive and resilient."

Joining Díaz de la Rubia were the expert leaders guiding three of the initiatives. 

Horst Hahn, special advisor and professor of materials science and engineering, discussed Arizona's fusion energy future, describing it as a tangible goal now within reach for physicists, engineers, mathematicians and other researchers. 

Gen. Robin Rand updated the board on efforts to secure the nation's security in space. Rand, who previously commanded the U.S. Air Force's Global Strike Command, U.S. Strategic Command and Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, will join the U of A community as president and CEO of the UA-Applied Research Corporation on Jan. 1. He will accelerate research and innovation by connecting faculty and students directly with the mission needs of government and industry. 

David Ebert, chief AI and data science officer and professor of electrical and computer engineering, rounded out the research presentation. He discussed innovations that blend the fields of artificial intelligence and health care to transform how health systems diagnose, treat and deliver care – and his goal to position the U of A as a national leader in AI-powered supercomputing.

Commitment to engagement

Following the presentation, Garimella and other leaders hosted the regents at a reception at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. The event featured students and faculty from each college who shared details of their innovative engagement and outreach initiatives as part of the university's land-grant mission. 

Friday morning, university leaders hosted a breakfast at which regents met with faculty members from the College of Medicine – Tucson to discuss innovations in biosciences and health care research. 

Garimella commented on the theme of the presentations and discussions, noting the sustained upward trajectory of the institution. 

"The University of Arizona exemplifies the transformative potential of higher education, and we are committed to leading this distinguished institution into a new era of impact," Garimella said. "Our graduates contribute to our workforce and our society, our discoveries and innovation drive the state's economy, and we engage communities to create opportunity throughout our state. As Arizona's land-grant university, the U of A is a true force for good."