Last January, we officially launched LEAD ON: Values in Action, TCU’s strategic plan, with a campus-wide kickoff and a simple message: now the real work begins.

Over the past year, faculty, staff, students and administration have taken this message to heart. Across campus, we’ve been listening, refining priorities, clarifying goals and building the foundation we need to move from planning to sustained execution. Today, we are firmly “running” with the strategic plan, turning vision into action and ideas into outcomes.

As Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns reminds us, the “best laid plans of Frogs and friends often go awry” – or something like that. Strategy can only deliver impact when we execute across the institution consistently, transparently and collaboratively.

Momentum Across the Plan

Across the plan, your hard work is being realized - not as a finish line, but as evidence that the LEAD ON: Values in Action plan is already in motion.

Just a few of the wins from the past year include:

• TCU moved back into the Top 100 National Universities per U.S. News and World Report
• The Princeton Review ranks TCU No. 1 for Happiest College Students
• The Princeton Review also ranks TCU highly as a best-run college (No. 3)
• Record-setting first-year enrollment and retention
• Record-setting sponsored research grant funding
• $40 million naming gift establishing the Louise Dilworth Davis College of Science & Engineering
• New Accelerating Institution Artificial Intelligence (AI²), marking one of TCU’s largest research and technology commitments with corporate partner Dell Technologies
• 18 of TCU’s 22 sports were represented in postseason play
• New platforms for innovation and community engagement, including the TCU Innovation Network and the upcoming Texas Innovation Conference and Awards

These, and all the other wins from across the university, demonstrate what is possible when community, strategy, talent and execution align.

Turning Ideas into Action: The Chancellor’s Innovation Prize

As we move into 2026, one way we are accelerating that momentum is through the launch of the Chancellor’s Innovation Prize – a new, campus-wide opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to propose practical solutions that improve university operations and scale student success.

The 2026 challenge focuses on Operational AI — identifying real opportunities where TCU’s investment in AI can help us work smarter, serve students more effectively, and adapt to a rapidly changing environment. Winning ideas across faculty, staff and students will be recognized and considered for piloting and potential institutional implementation.

This initiative reflects an important shift from conversation and experimentation to implementation. Innovation at TCU is not theoretical; it is applied, collaborative and focused on impact.

Putting Structure Behind the Strategy

As we “run”, clarity around how we implement the plan is critically important. To support that work, we’ve recently adopted a new LEAD ON: Values in Action Implementation & Governance Framework to guide our efforts.

The framework clarifies roles and accountability, establishes consistent rhythms for review and decision-making, and ensures transparency through shared metrics and reporting. The goal is not bureaucracy, but community – creating the conditions for teams across campus to move forward with confidence, clarity, and accountability. One of the central themes of the framework is ensuring consistent engagement of governance groups across campus, including Faculty Senate, Staff Assembly, Student Government Association, and the Graduate Student Assembly.

Sometimes It Might Feel Like We’re Running in the Sand

We are implementing this plan at a time of significant global, national, and sector-wide change. Economic uncertainty, rapid technological shifts, and evolving expectations continue to shape higher education. That context makes disciplined execution – and our connected community – even more important.

The success of our strategic plan requires us to stay grounded in our values, clear about our priorities, and thoughtful about where we invest our time and resources. Progress will not always be linear, and the world won’t always make it easy. But by pairing strong governance with creativity, collaboration, and shared ownership, we can leap TCU forward with intention and resilience – together.

Continuing the Conversation: Strategic Plan Town Hall – February 4

Want to learn more about the Chancellor’s Innovation Prize  or strategic plan progress? Have questions you’d like to ask?  The Strategic Plan Town Hall on February 4 will include the official launch of the Chancellor’s Innovation Prize, detailed updates on a few specific initiatives across the pillars and opportunities to converse with strategic plan leaders to learn more and ask questions. We hope you’ll join the conversation at 9:30 a.m. in the Tucker Family Ballroom, BLUU.

The Work Continues

A year ago we said, “now we start.” Today, we are running. Thank you for the work you do every day to bring LEAD ON: Values in Action to life. Together, we are shaping the next chapter of TCU — thoughtfully, strategically, and with purpose.

Go Frogs!