With that question, Augusta University President Russell T. Keen, EdD, set the tone for the start of the fall semester.

On Monday, Aug. 12, hundreds of faculty and staff attended the newly reimagined Fall Kickoff event at the Grover C. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatreon the Summerville Campus. Keen, one of the architects of AU’s strategic plan, Creating a Legacy Like No Other, unveiled his refined vision and how it will guide the university forward in achieving its goals:

• Research: R1 Carnegie Research Classification and NIH Top 60 medical school ranking

• Student Success: 16,000 students by 2030

• Community Engagement: Carnegie Community Engagement Classification

Acknowledging the hard work that will be necessary to reach each goal, Keen called on faculty and staff to join him in his mission of creating a culture of integrity, accountability and excellence at AU.

“Now is the time to rise up and rally behind one another. Rally behind our students,” he said. “I want all of you to hear me loud and clear: I know it starts with me, but it also starts with you. Your attitudes, your mindset, your passion. It starts with all of us.”

Research

NIH Top 60 medical school ranking by 2030

Recognizing that moving up in the rankings of NIH funding requires the university to have more researchers funded by the government agency, Keen said the way forward depends largely on building more labs to create places for new researchers to conduct their work.

“We have some of the most productive faculty in the country as it pertains to research productivity. Our only limitation is space,” he said, adding that he has spent a significant part of his first month in office reaching out to stakeholders and potential donors for support in his mission of breaking ground on a new research building. “We will leave no stone unturned in accomplishing this.”

Over the next three years, the university will also pursue hiring 30 basic research scientists at the Medical College of Georgia, recruiting top-tier talent in fields that will significantly enhance our research capabilities and advance knowledge in critical areas of study.

R1 Carnegie Research Classification

To achieve R1 designation, at least 70 research doctoral degrees need to be conferred annually. Toward that goal, the College of Education and Human Development aims to double its EdD enrollment by Fall 2026.

Student Success

16,000 students enrolled by 2030

In October 2023, AU surpassed the 10,000-student mark with its largest-ever freshman class. It was an achievement that elicited a university-wide celebration, but Keen predicted it wouldn’t be the last major milestone.

“We are kicking off another academic year that will be a timeline moment in Augusta University’s history,” Keen said.

After enrolling 10,546 in Fall 2023, AU leadership has set its sights on reaching at least 11,000 students in Fall 2024. Although Susan Davies, EdD, executive vice president of Enrollment and Student Affairs, cautioned enrollment data will not be official for this semester until October or November, she shared that preliminary numbers point to another year worth celebrating.

“I hope you can take great pride in our preliminary data,” she said as faculty and staff applauded. “Nine years of increases in enrollment, including during a pandemic, is unparalleled. We are well on our way to our goals.”

Jenessa Ducelus, president of the Student Government Association, shared the SGA’s excitement for its plans to open a new Open Paws Food Pantry location at the University Village, and goals to increase financial support for registered student organizations.

Stepan Budkin, the Graduate Student Government Association comptroller, shared the GSA’s plans to focus on building a positive campus experience for graduates attending AU.

The spirit of giving was not lost on the audience, including Keen.

“All of us have a role in student success,” he emphasized. “Every interaction matters. It matters how you show up. It matters how you interact with the person passing by. Sharpen yourselves, your senses, your skills and your enthusiasm. Be an indispensable person for Augusta University, to make us better, and better, and better, until we are the absolute best and people know it, because they know you.”