Drafts of the plan were shared with the trustees in May and June 2025. Each draft reflected suggestions submitted by students, faculty, staff and other constituencies. The campus community was also invited to strategic plan update Town Halls throughout the process.

“This plan belongs to all of us,” said President Gerry Bradley. “The decisions we make, how each unit operates, the allocation of financial, human and other resources will all apply directly to our strategic goals.”

The university’s academic programs and operating units will have until May 2026 to begin incorporating the plan’s goals and action items into their own strategic initiatives. Additionally, recommendations from the President’s Commission on Climate, Culture and Well-being will be applied to the plan as appropriate.

Approval of the strategic plan was accompanied by the affirmation of the revised . These revisions also reflect input from the university community.

Bradley will further discuss the strategic plan in his Feb. 12 State of the University Address, which will take place at 4 p.m. in the School of Music’s Comstock Hall. The event will also be livestreamed on

Value of shared governance

The Board of Trustees constituency representatives – Andrew Winters (Faculty Senate), Kevin Ledford (Staff Senate) and Macy Waddle (Student Government) – presented a to the board. The statement emphasizes the value of shared governance, open dialogue, belonging and well-being, faculty and staff stability and investment in American innovation and global competitiveness among UofL students, faculty, staff, administration, strategic partners and state government.

Though not an actionable measure for the trustees, the board’s constituency representatives felt the statement was appropriate and necessary given the complex challenges that face higher education in Kentucky.

“We certainly welcome this statement as it properly reflects the collaborative nature between the Board of Trustees and the university’s constituencies,” Bradley said. “I think it is important to point out that not all university boards of trustees include or involve constituency groups in their decision-making. At UofL, all voices are heard. All voices matter.”

The UofL Board of Trustees regular committee meetings will take place Thursday, March 19, 2026. Meeting minutes, schedules and other information are available on the .Ěý

“Over the coming year, my goal is to continue to lead our Staff Senate into an era of growth, influence and shared governance,” said Ledford, who is enterprise systems programmer III for UofL’s Information Technology Services. “I firmly believe that our Staff Senate should be a central pillar of our institution, representing the voices, concerns and aspirations of our dedicated staff. By working together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive and engaging environment that benefits us all.”

One of Ledford’s primary objectives is to raise awareness and understanding of the essential work the senate undertakes. Ledford adds that he will advocate for creating an institution where staff feel valued in a workplace that nurtures both personal and professional growth.

“To effectively champion our staff, we must cultivate strong relationships, build bridges and promote open dialogue,” said Ledford. “I am dedicated to fostering an inclusive and transparent environment where everyone feels heard and represented.”

Kari Donahue, director of communications and marketing for the J.B. Speed School of Engineering, was elected as the senate vice chair, and Carcyle D. Barrett, a paralegal in the Office of University Counsel and past president of the Black Faculty/Staff Association, was re-elected secretary-treasurer.

Smith, assistant director of Intramural and Recreational Sports, will remain on the Staff Senate as an at-large member. In his remarks to the senate, Smith noted how grateful he is to have served the university throughout leadership transitions, the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to improve employee compensation.

“I think our senate is much stronger than it has been due to the number and quality of individuals who commit to this service,” said Smith. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with every one of you.”

In other news:

Additional security cameras will be installed throughout Belknap Campus in the coming months. The new cameras are a proactive measure to improve campus security. Additionally, UofL’s security cameras are connecting to 135 City of Louisville cameras in the immediate vicinity of campus to improve coordination between Louisville Metro and University of Louisville Police Departments.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems will be replaced in several university buildings in the coming months. This may cause disruption in some workspaces. Unit managers will be advised on the timing of HVAC replacement.

The agenda, committee reports and other information from the June 13, 2023, UofL Staff Senate meeting is available on the Staff Senate .

The probation focuses specifically on issues related to the Board of Trustees, including its membership, selection and evaluation of the university president, external influence and Board of Trustees dismissal.

“While we are disappointed, it is important to note that this in no way reflects on the quality of our curriculum or our core academic strengths,” said Acting President Neville Pinto. “It focuses solely on issues related to governance of the institution. The commission’s decision to impose probation does not affect degrees, federal funding (including financial aid available to students), or research grants awarded to faculty.”

A SACS committee will visit the university in fall 2017. At that time, UofL will have the chance to show it has addressed the issues for which it was placed on probation.

“The University of Louisville continues to be accredited,” Pinto said. “We are a strong institution with a great track record of demonstrating compliance in all areas of review by SACSCOC … We have much to be proud of, and we will do all that we can to meet the challenges set forth by SACSCOC.”

See related video below.Ěý