Foundational Excellence Initiative

Earlier this academic year, the George Washington University launched its new strategic framework, Raising Higher: OneGW’s Path to Preeminence. The framework outlines two priorities to guide GW’s focus over the next decade: Generating Scholarship with Impact and Preparing Students to be Strong and Resilient Leaders. These priorities are GW’s core mission. However, while developing the framework, the community was clear that, to advance these priorities, GW also needs to improve how it functions. That led to the creation of the framework’s third priority: Strengthening our Foundation for Excellence. 

This priority is even more urgent considering the fundamental challenges facing universities nationwide, including changes in federal policy, shifts in enrollment, and other financial pressures. These headwinds require that GW take a proactive approach to establish a realistic, sustainable path that addresses current challenges while funding strategic priorities essential to our mission. 

To meet this moment, the university has launched the GW Foundational Excellence Initiative. This initiative is an opportunity to come together as OneGW to strengthen our long-term financial health by improving how we operate, growing new revenue streams, and optimizing our organization. This is more than a response to current financial challenges; it is a commitment to lasting change in support of GW’s mission. Watch President Ellen M. Granberg's announcement below.