Richmont Graduate University launched its 2026–2028 Strategic Plan, Investing in Our People, a two-year framework designed to strengthen the experience, support, and effectiveness of the University’s faculty and staff. The plan was launched during July 2026’s Institutional Success Day and represents a significant departure from Richmont’s previous strategic planning cycles, which focused primarily on institutional growth through new academic programs and expanded partnerships.

The 2026–2028 Strategic Plan was intentionally designed to be data-informed, participatory, and internally focused. The plan is organized around four key themes — to Empower, Connect, Equip, and Sustain Richmont’s people — and comprises nine core initiatives that will guide institutional priorities through 2028.

The planning process began with a comprehensive review of employee survey data, which provided critical insight into the experiences, challenges, and needs of faculty and staff across the institution. These findings were further enriched through Richmont’s first annual Institutional Success Day in 2025, where employees engaged in candid conversations about their day-to-day work, institutional strengths, and areas for growth. A targeted follow-up survey and a volunteer Strategic Planning Committee — composed of faculty, staff, and administrators from across the University’s Atlanta, Chattanooga, and online communities — further shaped the plan’s initiatives before its finalization.

“This is why I am especially excited about our newest plan,” said Dr. Timothy Quinnan, President of Richmont Graduate University, in his letter introducing the plan. “Unlike its predecessors, this plan does not follow the traditional top-down model. To the contrary: it started as a grassroots-level idea that excited people, steadily gained momentum, and ultimately drew universal support. Its core theme, investing in our people, resonates deeply within our community. Instead of revolving around academic activities, it chooses to focus on our human talent.”

The plan’s four strategic themes are:

Empower — Establishing role clarity, equitable workload standards, and structured pathways for professional growth and advancement.

Connect — Fostering transparent, trust-centered communication and launching a mission-aligned employee recognition program.

Equip — Strengthening the tools, systems, and training employees need to work with confidence, from onboarding through offboarding.

Sustain — Ensuring competitive, equitable compensation and safe, well-maintained work environments across all campuses.

Richmont Graduate University provides Christ-centered education and research that advances God’s work of healing, restoration, and transformation in the lives of individuals, churches, and communities. With campuses in Atlanta and Chattanooga and a robust online program, Richmont is committed to becoming an internationally recognized leader in Christian counseling and ministry education. For more information, visit richmont.edu.