The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University has announced a new strategic plan, “Leading with Purpose: The Strategic Plan for the Andrew Young School, 2025–2033.” This plan aims to enhance policy education, research, and community engagement in response to rapid changes in technology and society.
The initiative aligns with the university’s broader strategy, BluePrint to 2033: Our Place, Our Time. The school’s new roadmap is designed to address current trends affecting public affairs education, such as the increasing role of data analytics, technology advancements, and artificial intelligence in shaping policy and governance.
The strategic plan was developed through an extensive planning process involving input from faculty, staff, students, alumni, community partners, and civic leaders. A 100-day listening phase helped identify key strengths and opportunities for improvement. This was followed by a yearlong collaborative effort that shaped the final plan.
“Our strategic plan captures the shared ambitions of this community,” said Thomas J. Vicino, dean of the Andrew Young School. “It reflects our responsibility to prepare students for complex policy environments while advancing research that serves the public good.”
Three task forces contributed to creating the plan:
– The Task Force on Strategic Growth examined academic programs and student success.
– The Task Force on Research Innovation focused on interdisciplinary scholarship and public impact.
– The Task Force on Organizational Development and Community addressed professional development and partnerships.
Each group engaged stakeholders through surveys and forums to ensure broad representation in decision-making.
Ambassador Andrew Young highlighted the school’s focus on service and justice. “The Andrew Young School has long been committed to addressing real-world challenges,” Young said. “This strategic plan builds on those values and prepares future leaders to serve with both compassion and rigor.”
The document outlines three main priorities:
– Transformative learning experiences that use technology to prepare students for careers influenced by data science and AI.
– Promoting research innovation with practical applications for public benefit.
– Building a supportive community that encourages professional growth and collaboration inside and outside the school.
To oversee implementation efforts, Cathy Yang Liu has been appointed associate dean for strategic initiatives—a newly established position tasked with managing progress across various initiatives.
Currently enrolling more than 2,200 students across undergraduate through doctoral programs in fields like public policy, economics, social work, criminal justice/criminology, and urban studies—the school is recognized among top national graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report rankings.
With eight dedicated research centers supported by over $35 million in sponsored funding each year, the Andrew Young School contributes research intended to inform policy at local through global levels.
The full text of “Leading with Purpose” can be accessed at aysps.gsu.edu/strategic-plan.
