UD to expand business partnerships, invest more in research

UD launched a new website this week outlining president Eric Spina’s vision for the university.

UD launched a new website this week outlining president Eric Spina’s vision for the university.

The University of Dayton has launched a new website focusing on president Eric Spina’s “strategic vision” for the school.

The website, called "For The Common Good" outlines overarching theme's of Spina's goals for UD. The website's themes were drawn from Spina's formal inauguration in April, according to the university.

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“Our vision for the future was distilled into an overarching statement and five themes with accompanying goals to crystallize the thoughts and aspirations that emerged from the strategic visioning process,” Spina said. “It will form a foundation for our work ahead.”

Some initiatives are already underway, but many will require more long-term planning and development, according to the university. Several initiatives, such as the Arcade Innovation Hub, are in the planning stages.

Spina’s vision for UD has a big focus on research initiatives. The university will invest more in programs for sustainability, human rights, autonomous systems and health and bio-sciences in an attempt to achieve national distinction, according to UD.

The school will also seek to establish more partnerships like the ones it has with General Electric and Emerson, which both have facilities on campus.

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“We won’t be working on everything immediately or at the same time,” he said. “Some of our aspirations, such as developing a truly transdisciplinary faculty and extending our research strengths, will require considerable time to fully develop.”

Spina’s vision was developed in a nearly year-long process that involved more than 3,000 board members, alumni, donors, faculty, staff, students, and community members. He wrapped up his first year in office at UD earlier this summer.

In developing his plan for UD, Spina and his administration explored what makes the university distinctive and what UD should work toward during the next 20 years, according to the school.

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