Galloway, N.J. — The Stockton University Board of Trustees unanimously approved Wednesday a new Strategic Plan to guide the institution’s priorities for the next three years.

The plan is organized around five themes:

• Cultivate a Community of Care – Belonging and Pride 
• Inspire Minds – Teaching, Learning and Scholarship 
• Empower Student Success
• Anchor in Purpose – Serving the Region and Beyond 
• Sustain Tomorrow – Stewardship and Innovation 

The themes are grounded in Stockton’s mission, values and Ethic of Care, which treats everyone with dignity, respect, kindness, compassion and civility, said Stockton President Joe Bertolino.

“Today marks an important milestone for Stockton’s future as we present our new Strategic Plan to the Board for their formal endorsement,” he said. “It offers a clear framework for each division and unit to create specific action steps designed to achieve our overall goals.”

The new Strategic Plan process started more than a year ago and more than 325 individuals served on planning committees with more than 1,000 members of the university’s extended community — including students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, business partners and friends — contributing to the effort through surveys, forums, events and feedback sessions.

“Through extensive engagement of the campus community, we have the right plan in this moment to lead Stockton through a new era of providing an accessible and impactful academic experience to our students, a dynamic workplace for our employees, and a pillar of the community to our external constituents” said Stockton Provost and Vice President Michael Palladino and Ashlee Roberts, Stockton’s executive director of Student Affairs Strategic Planning and Initiatives. Palladino and Roberts are the co-chairs of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee.

The plan emphasizes the university will stay grounded in the liberal arts and will strengthen support for first-generation students and for students with financial need.

“This plan comes with a refreshed lens on our mission, vision and values, upholding the liberal arts education that serves as the center of Stockton’s identity while looking forward to ensuring a sustainable future that is responsive to the dynamic landscape of higher education,” according to Palladino and Roberts.

It also addresses the university’s future role in Atlantic City following a feasibility study by Brailsford & Dunlavey in the spring of 2024 and presented to the Board of Trustees a year ago.

“Together, we listened, reflected and envisioned Stockton’s next chapter. One that will adapt over time to meet the changing needs of our students, our campus and our region,” Bertolino said.

The Board of Trustees also approved at its September meeting a new slate of leadership, elevating vice chair Jose Lozano to the new board chair, and appointing Timothy Lowry as vice chair and Mary Maples as secretary. Lozano, ’03 from Oradell, replaced Nelida Valentin ’86 as chair after Valentin served a two-year term.

Lozano serves as Senior Vice President for Strategic Business Partnerships at Hackensack Meridian Health, the largest health network in New Jersey with 18 hospitals, 500 patient care locations, 36,000 team members and the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. He is a New Jersey native who received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Stockton and a master’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park.