Radford University will be hosting a forum at the City of Radford Recreation Center (200 George St.) on Jan. 19, 6-8 p.m. to provide recommendations regarding the university’s future economic development and community partnership initiatives and programs in conjunction with work underway to develop the university’s new strategic plan.

Radford University has embarked on a significant planning effort associated with the development of a five-year comprehensive strategic plan that will shape the university’s mission and vision for the 2018-2023 timeframe.

One of the defining concepts of the plan is to engage the Radford community in providing inputs to several components of the university’s new strategic plan.

The university’s strategic planning task force includes sub-groups that are focused on academic excellence and research; brand identity; budget; challenges and opportunities; economic development and community partnerships; mission, vision and core values; philanthropic giving and alumni engagement; strategic enrollment growth; and student success.

Many of the university’s strategic planning sub-groups include community members and business leaders in addition to university faculty and staff.

The Jan. 19 forum will serve as an opportunity for the public to provide recommendations and suggestions related to the university’s future economic development initiatives and community partnerships.

Inputs can also be submitted by Jan. 31 through an online survey at: www.radford.edu/economic-development.

For more information regarding Radford University and its strategic planning process, please visit www.radford.edu.

— Submitted by Sherry Wallace