Powered by Possibility 2027

A Strategic Plan for Johnson & Wales University

Johnson & Wales is proud to introduce the next chapter of the university’s ten-year strategic vision: Powered by Possibility 2027. Building on the foundation of Powered by Purpose 2024, this next three-year phase underscores our dedication to an educational experience rooted in excellence, strengthening industry connections, enhancing our institutional foundation and fostering a culture that reflects our mission. With the momentum of Purpose 2024, we remain focused on advancing JWU’s reputation, academic quality, financial sustainability, and ensuring students feel prepared for meaningful careers and leadership roles within their chosen fields. Powered by Possibility 2027 charts a bold path forward, outlining goals intended to create long-term impact and generate new opportunities for the communities we serve.

Our Areas of Focus:

1. Advance an Educational Experience Rooted in Excellence: Academic standards and measures of excellence are hallmarks of our strategy and will remain so as we continue to launch new programs, refine academic delivery and elevate our standing among our peers. Elevating our position as a teaching institution that values excellence and industry experience, JWU will attract and retain well-prepared students who seek diverse and successful academic journeys. JWU faculty provide academic leadership for the university, embodying the industry and content expertise which they teach. The strength of our exceptional faculty is reflected in the accreditation processes which have been successfully completed and ones which are currently in process. We will continue to expand on the work begun in the Powered by Purpose as we build new strategies.

2. Strengthen Industry Connections: From our founding, JWU’s connections to the industries that employ our graduates have been central to our unique brand of education. We will continue to contribute active thought leadership to these industries while industry partnerships will remain fully integral to our delivery of educational experiences. These industry linkages will be strengthened by our faculty, staff and students as well as by alumni engagement.

3. Build a Strong Institutional Foundation: Building upon the significant work achieved to ensure our financial strength, Johnson & Wales will continue to cultivate a strong community of talented leaders and colleagues who are focused on the core mission while also demonstrating entrepreneurial approaches to growth.

4. Foster a Culture that Advances our Mission: The foundation of our strength as an institution are the people who contribute to our JWU community. Students are the center. Employees power our legacy. Alumni and donors embody our future. Community members connect us to the world. We will cultivate these communities and build a culture that uplifts our mission. It is time for Johnson & Wales to be recognized for our contributions to the cultural, economic and civic vitality of many communities in and around our Providence and Charlotte campuses, through JWU Online and beyond. We will become purposeful storytellers sharing the JWU legacy with a broad range of new and old friends, empowering our internal and close friends to be ambassadors.

Spring 2025 Progress Update

In the fall of 2024, we introduced Powered by Possibility 2027, the next three-year phase of our 10-year strategic vision, which builds upon the foundation of Powered by Purpose 2024. Possibility 2027 underscores our commitment to advancing our key strategic goals that uplift JWU’s academic quality and institutional reputation and financial sustainability, while ensuring students are prepared for meaningful careers and leadership roles within their chosen fields. Since that launch, we have continued to make progress in all four goals outlined in our strategic plan. Here is a high-level summary of some of those accomplishments.

Explore Powered by Purpose 2024

Reflect on the progress and achievements that have laid a solid foundation for our future. Powered by Purpose 2024 emphasized fostering academic excellence, expanding hands-on learning and creating new opportunities that have transformed both our community and campus experience.