Key Messages

Dr. James HurleyPresident of Tarleton State University

There is something special about this place. It’s a place where we rise to challenges and seize opportunities. A place that propels us to excellence. Ever forward, ever onward — that’s how H.A. Schmidt defined our trajectory in 1920 when he penned the Tarleton Fight Song.

Strive for ideals high
Guard your standards, your traditions
Raise them to the sky
On Ye Tarleton, on Ye Tarleton
Biggest and the best

That is what we’re doing. That is who we are…

Read More

Dr. Credence BakerStrategic Planning Council Chair

On behalf of the Strategic Planning Council and with much excitement and optimism, I present Tarleton Forward 2030, our bold plan for the next decade.

It is the result of dedicated focus, discussion, and collaboration in the most challenging environment we’ve ever faced. Despite a pandemic, social unrest, and historic winter weather, the council and our Executive Steering Committee worked diligently to forge a path that will ensure the university continues to thrive no matter what comes our way…

Read More

Our Commitment to an Exceptional Student Experience

Tarleton State University will provide a life-changing education exemplified by a welcoming and empowering student experience, characterized by:

  • An affordable, first-class education paired with personalized support from start to finish to help students grow academically, socially, and professionally
  • Engaged faculty, staff, and alumni mentors who guide students in setting long-term goals and developing marketable skills with real-world application
  • A community where all students feel safe, accepted, and included.
  • Transformational educational experiences that challenge students to achieve excellence and prepare them to lead meaningful and rewarding lives

Tarleton’s faculty, staff, and administration support this experience through:

  • Integrated services and clear communications that help students effectively navigate academic, financial, and administrative processes
  • A supportive learning environment that connects all students with campus resources and empowers them to take responsibility for their success
  • Innovative technology that provides options for learning and engagement, enhances academic and social connections, and allows students to track their progress toward achieving their educational goals
  • Curricular and co-curricular programs that engage students in research and workforce experiences, immerse them in global and civic activities, and develop their leadership skills
Uniformed individuals hold Texas and American flags on a football field with a marching band.

Mission / Vision and Values / Statements

Person smiling in a lab with a microscope, purple background, cabinets, and a gas cylinder.

Mission

Tarleton State University, a founding member of the Texas A&M University System, transforms generations by inspiring discovery, leadership and service through educational excellence.

Vision

Tarleton will be the premier comprehensive university in the nation, with a keen focus on student success, teaching, and research.

Values and Statements

Excellence

Tarleton Texans pursue greatness in all efforts, promoting a spirit of leadership, adaptability, and innovation for exceptional outcomes and a better world.

Integrity

Tarleton Texans hold to the highest ethical standards and commit to serving others through transparency and accountability in everything we do.

Respect

Tarleton Texans create a thriving community by embracing varied perspectives with civility, honoring tradition, and promoting collaboration so everyone thrives.

Goals and 5-Year Strategies

Goal I: Student Opportunity & Success

Female nursing students points to monitor next to a practice patient's bed.

Strategically grow enrollment and foster a thriving learning environment characterized by transformational educational experiences that promote the holistic development, economic mobility, and success of all students.

  • Strategy I-A: Support the well-being and success of all students, consistently outpacing our peers in engagement and achievement rates, with a strong commitment to enhancing opportunity, access, and affordability.
  • Strategy I-B: Optimize the university’s educational impact through recruitment, strategic offerings and flexible learning formats, particularly in graduate and professional programs.
  • Strategy I-C: Promote student socio-economic mobility and gainful employment through market-driven pathways, streamlined program navigation, and career readiness.

Goal II: Academic Distinction

Female student wearing gardening gloves working in the hydroponics lab.

Achieve academic excellence through innovative instructional practices, strategic program expansion, and a robust academic and technological infrastructure.

  • Strategy II-A: Leverage high-impact teaching and learning practices, technology, and quality instructional design of all courses to provide a transformational and future-focused educational experience.
  • Strategy II-B: Adapt and expand nationally-recognized academic programs, schools and colleges through prestigious accreditation, program review, and benchmarking against aspirational institutions.
  • Strategy II-C: Continue our future-focused development of Tarleton Fort Worth and expansion of academic programs and support at all outreach campuses to provide educational attainment opportunities to meet the growing marketplace needs of the region and state.
  • Strategy II-D: Continue focused efforts to impact state healthcare needs in rural and underserved sub-urban populations.

Goal III: Global, Community & First-Gen Initiatives

Male student smiling while standing next to a large internal server room.

Promote work, service, and leadership readiness for a global economy and transnational workforce by advancing mission-focused partnerships and community values across all aspects of our multi-campus institution.

  • Strategy III-A: Leverage the university’s culture of connection and access to be a national comprehensive first-choice university with designations of excellence.
  • Strategy III-B: Promote success opportunities that enhance holistic support and retention for all learners.
  • Strategy III-C: Integrate educational experiences for students, faculty and staff to increase understanding of perspectives that enhance global competency.

Goal IV: Research Excellence, Innovation, & Economic Impact

Male student with arm disability practices athletic training exercises.

Cultivate an entrepreneurial ecosystem to enhance research, scholarship, and regional partnerships that drive innovation and economic development.

  • Strategy IV-A: Mobilize faculty and student research, scholarship, and creative activities and support personnel in the process of securing and administering research funds to reach Carnegie’s Very High Research Activity status by 2031.
  • Strategy IV-B: Enhance university resources and invest in sustainable research administration infrastructure, capacity, facilities, and personnel to build and support R1-sponsored research.
  • Strategy IV-C: Establish leadership in higher education, industry, and government partnerships to advance research, innovation and economic development.

Goal V: Institutional Prominence

Tarleton Texan Football players running onto the football field.

Attain national prominence through student achievement, a thriving employee experience, a culture of philanthropy, and fiscal sustainability.

  • Strategy V-A: Foster a thriving employee experience through meaningful communication, competitive compensation, interprofessional collaboration, and an ongoing commitment to growth and wellness.
  • Strategy V-B: Ensure fiscal sustainability through strategic resource management, alternative revenue generation, and rigorous fundraising.
  • Strategy V-C: Elevate the institutional profile by capitalizing on national visibility and distinction.
View Implementation Cycle
Make a Fund Request
Group in purple shirts tosses yellow ducks by a pool, with a brick building in the background.


The Future of Tarleton State University

The spirit that inspired a farmer and rancher 122 years ago to start a college is the same spirit that propels us today.

John Tarleton’s commitment to educational opportunity and affordability is part and parcel of everything we do. It’s the foundation of Tarleton Forward 2030.

Our new 10-year, future-focused plan positions us for limitless opportunities and extreme successes.

It is a bold projection. A North Star for the world to follow.